Maoists Cease-fire • Property Rights Bill • Tracking Tourism Longer lasting freshness, longer lasting smile CONTENTS

Page

Letters 3

News Notes 4

Briefs 6

Unquote 7

Off The Record 8 COVER STORY: Challenges For The Second Innings Finally, the Congress leader from the far west Sher Bahadur Dcuba manages to replace his mentor Koirala. GARMENT INDUSTRY: Under Threal 12 Page 16

G.P. KOIRALA : A New Role 13

ROYAL NEPALESE ARMY: Force For Unity 14

EQUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: Help Or Hindrance? 15

TOURISM: Under Media Attack 22

SECURITY: Commercial Corn 24

MARCHABAR CONTROVERSY: Dam It 25 MAOIST VIOLENCE: Cease Fire? For the first time after they launched "people's war" six years ago, the rebels declare cease· fire. But for how long'? BOOK REVIEW 26 Page 9

THE BOTTOMLINE 27

SMOKING: Health Or Wealth? 28

PASTIME 29 CIAA : Moral Dilemma Chief of the anti-corruption body CIAA, Surya Nath Upadhyaya LEISURE 30 finds himself in a light spot after being charged of irregulalities in FORUM: Ambika loshee 32 an irrigation project. Page 23

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27.2001 \ c

SPOTLIGHT EDITOR'S NOTE THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE Vol. 21, No,S, July 27 ,2001 (Sawan 12,2058) early after five years. Sher Bahadur Deuba has made a come back. But Chief Editor And Publisher he has inheri ted a dilapidated chair which may not be able to bear hi s Madhav Kumar Rimal weight for long unless he can mend it without undue delay. Since his first Editor stint as Prime Mini ster could not be said to have made any lasting and Sarita Rimal tangible contribution and hi s fag cnd had been quite unsavory. hi s friends and well wishers hupe hi s second stint will be more purposeful. Managing Editor Keshab Poudel Even though the nation has heaved a sigh of relief at the ousterof th e Koirala government, Deuba's second inning has so far not been ab le to bring in any whiff offresh air the country Associate Editor Bhagirath Yogi was longing for. Since Deuba must have leamt some valuable lessons in the interlude, we do trust he must be a chastened man able to resist pres~ures and temptations from all; Senior Reponer cronies, frie nds and adversaries. He must also reali se that times have changed for the worse Sanjaya Dhakal but the temperament and character of Nepalese politicians including his own colleague t· . Reporter the Parliament has not changed whatsoever in any way and he will have to face Akshay Sharma challenges and leg pullings right from the word go. Wi th the country on the verge of civil war and the nation's economy in total ruin, Deuba must be aware of the magnitude of the Design and Layout Jyoti Singh prob lems he will have to tackle- insecurity of life and property. unbearable hike~ in the prices of necessities, total indi scipline in the ad min istra ti on and rampant corruption; all Photographer have turned the government into ascarecrow. On top of that the rece nt massacre at the Royal Nishchal Chapagain Palace has shaken the very foundalion of Nepali nalional solidarilY. Besides critical and Art disparag ing comme nts from friendly donor countries on the shameful non-performance of M,S. Khokna the democratic governments have sunk the image of the political panics that have gone to Legal Advisor power to an unimaginably disgraceful depth. If Deuba has chosen to cOllle to power to tackle Advocate Lok Bhakta Rana these Herculean problems in sincerity and honesty, we will have to appreciate his guts and extend our utmosl cooperat ion. But, if he has been innuenced by the frill s and frivolities Marketing/Advertisement of office and to caterlO the just and unjusI demands of his parasites who have already started Sant Rimal (USA) to flex their muscles, he may only help tosound the death knell of the enfeebled multi-party Marketing democracy. Madan Kaji Basnet Navin Kumar Maharjan Madan Raj Poudel The cease-fire an nou nced by the Maoists is not onl y positive but a welcome step in the direction of so lving the vexing issue. Deuba, with hi s ge ntle and so ft line approach may Editorial Office slrike some kind of underslanding wilh the Maoisl leaders and bring Ihi s lonnemin GPO Box 7256, Baluwalar, Kathmandu, Tel . (977·1 ) 423127, Fax : (977.1) 417845 problem to an all time end. But if the rulllorS going hot in the capital are true and some ai' Chief Editor's : 435594 power is behind the Maoists, how will this problem be resolved nobody can tell for su " E-mail: [email protected] Anyway many Nepalese seem optimistic thal Deuba can play a meaningful role 10 resolve Internet Add: hHp:llwww.nepaf_.com! spotlight thi s issue. Since we are still not initiated into the secrets of Deuba' s cabinet formation and as our dateljne to go to the press has almost expi red, we will defer ou r comments on hi s Cover Design cabinet for next iss ue. But we would like (oseecompietely new faces. Those who have been Wordscape Kamal Pokhan, Ph : 410772, Fax : 432872 tried and fo und wanting should be di scarded like an epidemic. Can Dcuba gather that kind of courage? Deuba's another responsibi lit y would be to stand up to our sOlllhem neighbor Distribution like a Nepali statesman and not cringe like hi s sen ior colleagues. He also must be ab le to Bazaar International convince his Indian counterpart that their media has not helped 10 complement their 228 Sanchaya Kosh Bldg. Kathmandu G,P,O Box 2480, Ph: 222983 Fax: 229437 assertions of fri endship and good will towards Nepal and totally ravaged Nepal's tourism a-mail : [email protected] .np by undesirable and baseless publicity. Whether abelted by any official agency or not, Indian media as long they don't stick to objective reporti ng, will be inOicting a big damage on Printers: Kishor offset Press (P.) Ltd . P.O, Box 4665, Galkopakha, Thamel, Nepal·Indiarelalionship, and it wi ll take a long time torepairthal damage. All these are big Kathmandu,Tel: 351044(Off),351172(Res.), challenges and Deuba's helping hands in Ihe government have proved their incompetence Fax : 977-1-351172, hundreds of times. Anyway, we do congratul ate the new Prime Minister and assure him of E-mail : [email protected] our unstinted cooperati on as long he sincerely pursues nation's interests. May Pashupatinath < C.D.D. Regd. No give him wisdom. • 1511039·40 Postal Regd. No 421057158 U.S. Library or Congress CalaJogue No. 91·905060 Madhav Kumar Rimal Chief Edit6r& Publisher 2 SPOTLlGHTIJUL Y 27, 2001 LETTERS ______

.------, through satellite is not going la make much of a difference on how the re,t of the world, Invest In Programs especially our ncighbors, look With reference to your at us ("'Stepping Into Spacc". cover story "Stepping Into SPOTLIGHT. July 20). Our Space" (SPOTLIGHT, July channels have gone for satel­ 20), J agree that without qual­ lite transmission vcry late in ity programs, our channels will the day. In the meantime, hun­ not be able to compete in the drcds of Indian and other for­ world of satellite television. eign channels have already There is a clear need to invest­ swarmed our space. Nepalese ment more in the development channels arc going to be lost in of standard programs. Other­ the crowd. Had we gone for wise. our channels will remain satellite Iran~mission earlier. tgnored. Unless the TV au­ wc might have been able La thoritJ~s come out With a con­ carve our own niche. crete plan on exploltmg the Shivelldra GUrllllg opportunity from expanded Paknajole coverage, going for satellite transmission will not be fruit­ Only Small Fishes ful. This is in reference to the Sailesh Karki recent action taken by the pal­ Satdobato ace against the ADCs of the then royalties. It seems tha( only small fishes have been caught. Only fcw ADCs have • lJaJllllyee M 1hllf,I • Ht Ocv t Re~llt been sacked while big fishes. • P(!I ~ n who must have been held re­ sponsible for the overall secu­ rity ofNarayanhity palacc have Good News standard programs ("Stepping This is good decision. In this Into Space", SPOTLIGHT, been let off scot free. More­ The fact that Nepalese age of cut-throat conimercial July 20). As you mentioned in over, it is strange to see a per­ aonels are now available competition, NTV does nced a the cover story, TV producers SOil, who was the architect of ough satellite is welcome separate channel that could must start recruiting talent from the palace security system news ("Stepping Into Space", concentrate on entertainment the Nepalese film industry. some time back and who left SPOTLIGHT. July 20). programs. In lndia. too. the There is a large pool of talent behind the legacy of insecu­ Nepalese channels shou Id stan national television available within the country. rity, head the comrniuce airing our perspective vigor­ Doordarshan has similarchan­ Given the right environment fanned to detect the security ously in order to pre-empt and nels targeted at different sec­ lapse that lead to the tragic counter the baseless news be­ and proper financial incen­ tion of masses. As things stand tives, there is no reason why incident. The recently retired ing carried by foreign chan­ now, NTV has a dual responsi­ they wouldn't be drawn to the generals were responsible for nels. This would go a long way bility - that of catering to small screen. the palace security for many in cleansing the image of audiences' taste as well as ful­ Billaya Dhital years. As the men really re­ Nepal, which has been tar­ filling its social obligation. Balaju sponsible for the palace secu­ ni shed by negative publicity. After it starts the metro chan­ rity have got away unscathed, Rakesh loshi Metro Channel nel, NTV can concentrate on the people expect King Pulchowk be In your interview with specific programs and able Gyanendra to make someone NTV General Manager Durga to survive amid competition. more objective head the com­ Rope In Talents , Nath Shanna ("Stepping Into Challdra Maizarjall mittee to look into the maller I fNepalesechanneJs want Space", SPOTLIGHT, July Gwarko once again. So that jus Lice is to survive the satellite compe­ 20), he has said that NTV is done and small fishes are tition, they must take advan­ planning to come out with a No Change spared. tage of talent available in the separate metro channel tar­ . The availability of Dilip KC market and produce new and geted at the urban audience. Nepalese television channels Chabahil

SPOTLlGHTIJULY 27, 2001 3 NEWSNOTES

Opposition To Wait And See choosing a new premier, Maoist rebels former minister. senior RNAC officials raided an isolated police post in the east­ and two executives from the Lauda Air Deuba's Preformance ern hilly district ofTehrathum on Satur­ for their in volvement in alleged iITCgU­ Opposition leaders have said they day night killing two policemen and in­ larities in the deal. Compiled from re­ would like 10 wait and see the performance juring five others. The insurgents looted porls July 19. of the Sher Bahadur Deuba-Ied govern­ all the arms and ammunition from the mclll for sometime now. But they were Potlang police post, reports said Sunday. Ex-Gurkhas To File Case quite critical about his past performance. The post has collapsed completely due to "Looking at the past of Mr. Deuba, there is the bomb blast. The injured policemen At British High Court

no reason lalmsl him. t' said Madhav Kumar are being treated at the BP Koirala me­ Ex-Gurkha soldiers of the British Nepal. leader of the main opposition and morial hospital in Dharan. Compiled/rom army have said they arc going to file a reports . lawsuit at the High Court in the United Kingdom shortly demanding for equal RNAC-Lauda rights and facilities as their British coun­ terparts. The Gurkha Army Agreement Terminated Servicemen's Organitalion (GAES After causi ng an irreparable loss to branch omce in the eastern district of Ihe image of premier GP Koirala and loss Sunsari has appealed to all its members to of over Rs 400 million to the state-owned fill in f0l111S for the lawsuit since the case Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, the cannot be liIed in an organized way. Till infamous Lauda air deal has come to a the July 9 deadline 2.714 ex-armies have premature death. Official RSS news lilled the forms for filing the case. Ac­ agency reponed that RNAC has can­ cording to Bhakta Sher Rai. president of celled ils Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft the Organization, there arc a total 0[3, 167 lease with Lauda Air of Austria with British ex- armies in Sunsari district alone. effecl from May 26, 200 I through mu­ OfLhem, the number of ex-amlies receiv­ lual consent. Both Ihe sides had reached ing pension facility is 2.5QQ,-The GAESO into an agreement on September 27. last has been spearheading the campaign for year and regular services had started from what they say discrimination against the December I, 2000. The aircraft did not Gurkha soldiers in the British army. return to Nepal after it was taken for Nepalese citizens are allo~ed to serve in repair and maintenance to Bangkok On the British and Indian al1TI1eS as per the My 29, this year. The agreemenl has tripartite treaty of 1947. Leadillg daille been revoked without any additional li­ report. Nepal ability 10 the RNAC, officials said. The Commission for Investigation on Abuse 'Koirala's Resignation UML general secretary. But we are ready of Authority has filed cases against ten to cooperate the government if it comes up officials involved in the deal including a Victory Of The People' with new comprehensive programs, he said. ...------.,.------. On the eve of Vice chairman of the Rastriya Prajatanlra the elections for the Party, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, said new leader of the the new premier should be given some time ruling Nepali Con­ to prove himself. CPN (ML) President gress parliamentary Sahana Pradhan said Mr. Deuba should • party, chairman of bring some change in hi s behaviorthis time the underground around. Deuba' s 18-month rule during the CPN-Maoist, Com­ coalition era ( 1995-97) is still criticized for -- rade Prachanda, said allowing duty free lUXUry vehicles to the .... if the new Prime lawmakers, among others. C011lpikdfro11l Minister is not dif­ reports. ferent in character and style as Girija Rebels Kill Prasad Koirala then Two Policemen the country's prob­ A Royal Nepal plane lems would remain As the Nepalese capital was busy un solved. In a state-

4 SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27, 200t NEWSNOTES men! issued on Saturday, Prachanda said "Nepalese Must Resolve attempts 10 choose a leader similar in character to Koirala would not solve the Nepal's Problems" problems in the country even after Addressing the 35Lh AGM of the Koirala's resignation. Resignation of FederaLion of Nepalese Chambers of Koirala is a victory of the people," said Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Prachanda. Koirala had no option but on July 17. Prime Minister Girija resign as he could nOl escape the armed Prasad Koirala said the problem in as well as peaceful struggle of the people," Nepal was such that we could become he added. Compiled from reports JIIly the playground bf foreigners. There 22. may be problems within the party. dif­ ferences in the programs, but if we Death Toll Reaches can rise above the partisan interest, by keeping in view of the nation all the 17 In Bajura problems that have emerged today can The death toll of policemen killed in be resolved forever and Nepal would over night attack at Pandusen striking emerge as a strong nation, said Koirala. Shrestha police base in the far-western district of "I have been telling to Maoists or terror­ Bajura Sunday night- within hours of ists that we should resolve this problem the appointment of Mr. Deuba as the mentation of the recommendations (created by ourselves) within the coun­ country"s chief executive6has reached gi ven by the FNCCI. Shrestha has suc­ try . Why should we look at others? 17. omcials said. Thirty-one policemen ceeded Pradip Kumar Shrestha after be­ Why should wc seek other's help? were InjuTcd6five of them seriously, ing unanimously elected to the post of Nepalese must resolve Nepal's prob- and two others are missing after the the apex private sector chamber by the lems," said Koirala. Nepal assault. Police said up to 30 rebels 35th AGM of Lhe FNCCI. Kalltipllr Jllly Samacharpalra Jllly /9. • might have been killed during the gun /9. battle. The rebels take away all of their dead and injured comrades after the as­ sault. More than 50 policemen were sta­ tioned at the base during the time of "Israel Wants Peace" attack by hundreds of Maoist rebels. More than 400 policemen have lost their lives Israeli Ambassador To Nepal, Avraham Nir, has said restorationof peace in w far in the Maoist attacks over the last the Middle East is possible only through the medium of dialogue. Talking to live years. Compiled from reporls JIIly reporters at the Israeli embassy in Kathmandu on June 19. Nir said Israel has always been in favor of peace. The only democratic country in the Middle East. Israel wishes for the peace New FNCCI President 1------., and prosperity of its neigh­ bors, said Nir, RSS news Outlines His Priority agency reported. He also ex­ Newly elected President of the Fed­ pressed concern over the es­ eration of Nepalese Chambers of Com­ calation of violent incidents merce and Industry (FNCCI), Ravi within Israel. Saying that Pal­ Bhakta Shrestha. has said he will give estinian side was behind 570 priority in en suring renewal of the violent incidents that took Indo-Nepal trade treaty due to expire place in Israel in Lhe past 35 later thi s year "in a way that it would I not have any adverse impact on the days. the ambassador I Nepalese products." He also said he accoused the Palestinians of would give priority to unify the business trying LO win international community and to maintain industrial support by fielding children security. in war zones. The Palest in­ bassador Nir RIJdha m Shrestha expressed worry about ians want Israel to turn imo deteriorating situation of industrial another Kosovo. he said. Mr. Nir also accused Palestinian side ofcarrying out security and said he would hold dialogue misleading publicity against Israel in order to garner support from the interna­ with the government to ensure impJe- tional community.

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27. 2001 5 BRIEFS

Kala and Rasiyawal Khurdgrarn panchayat of Siddharthanagar district in Uttar Pradesh of India. A team led by the Democratic National Youth Organization, the youth wing of the main oppo­ sition UML. is also visiting the area at present. Therehasn' t been any official reaction regarding the construction of the controver­ sial dam rrom both lhe.Nepalese and Indian governments as yet.

THE DEFENSE MINISTRY ON JULY 18 ADMITTED that the army personnel have shifted their base to Lingun of Budhagaon from their earlier base at Nuwagaon in the mid western district of Rolpa. The security forces are strategically located around Linlung as part of their continuing efforts to People celebrating traditional festival of Gathe Mangal, last rescue the 69 policemen-taken hostage by th. Maoist rebels a Thursday week back, the Ministry said. The security personnel ha:a;., exercised patience to avoid the loss of lire and property as rar. THE SUPREME COURT HAS ISSUED A MANDAMUS possible as the Maoists have used women and children as human to the government not LO provide citizenship against provisions shield, the Ministry said. of the constitution and tile law through the formulation of working guidelines. In a ruling handed out on Monday, ajoint THREE POLICEMEN WERE KILLl'D AND TWO OTH­ bench of the justices comprising Laxman Prasad Aryal. Govinda ers injured when the Maoists attacked a,Poli ce post at Khidim in Bahadur Shrestha and Kedar Prasad Giri ruled that the authority the western district of Arghakhanchi Tuesday night, reports said. to provide naturalized citizenship is vested in His Majesty's According to Police, the policemen were killed after they surren­ Government and the authority delegated to the Home Ministry dered at the end of nearly three-hour long gun banle. Separate and the citizenship distribution team is to be scrapped. "Though groups of rebels burnt down police posts in Palpaand Ramechhap the apex court has given many ruling sin this regard, lhe citizen­ districts. In Nuwakot district adjoining capital Kathmandu, the ship has been provided in contravention of the provisions oflhe rebels raided two local bank branches looting more than Rs laws.'" the court said. The court verdict came in response to a writ 200,000 in cash and guns from the bank guard,. petition filed by advocate Bal Krishna Neupane more than four years ago. THE GOVERNMENT OF DENMARK HAS AGREED TO provide. technical assistance of DKK 1. 19 million (equivalent THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT to rs. 10.27 million) for a project to support institutional strength­ that opened for a momh long monsoon session Monday was ening ofthe Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Auth0t" adjourned after paying tribute to the deceased King of Nepal , ity (CIAA). The assistance consists of fourdi fferent componcnts Birendra Bir Bilaam Shah. According to AFP news agency, the viz equipment, in country training work shop and rehabilitation tribute was expected as neighboring Nepal and India enjoy or the training hall, regional training workshop. and tOurs and friendly relations. Crown Prince Dipendra killed King Birendra. expert services.The main objective of the project is to enhance Queen Aishworya and other members of the royal family at the the institutional capability oftheClAA in combating corruption. Narayanhiti royal palace on June I reportedly before allegedly This assistance is being provided under the framework of Danish committing Isuicide.· support in the area of human rights. good governance and decentralization. NEPAL t ARUN DAL, A SISTER WING OF THE RULING Nepali Congress has claimed that the Rusiyal-Khurdalautan darn THE GOVERNMENT HAS DISTRIDUTED 1,99981GHAS constructed by the Indian government near the Indo-Nepal ,18 kanha and 14 dhura of land to the 13,259 families of border at Marchabar in Rupandehi district will submerge some Kamaiyas without houses and land. These Kamaiyas were stay­ 200 villages on the Nepali side, ofticial RSS news agency ing at the unoccupied barren land of Dang, Banke, Bardi •. reported. In a statement issued Monday after an on-the-spot Kailali. and Kanchanpurdistricts of mid and far western regions. inspection, the Dal said)he dam is likely to displace 103,000 111e lands were distributed under the government's program of people and 172,000 li vestock in the Nepali side. "The darn rehabilitaion of Kamaiyas. The government had formed land constructed unilaterally and against international law will pro­ registration committees in the fivedistriclsoflWO region with the vide irrigation to thousands of bighas of arable land in Nepal," objectives of providing five kattha of land to each Kamaiya the Dal said. The IS-km darn has been constructed in Rasiyawal family. •

6 SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27. 200 1 QUOTE UNQUOTE

"T his is a victory for Girijababu. This is a victory for Sushil Dai." Newly elected Prime Minister SlIer Balladur Deuba, after he was declared the wirlller of the election for Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader. * * *

"I have an abundance of sportsmanship ,piri!. My full support is with Deubaji." Sllshil Koirala, general secrerary of Nepali Congress, saying [hat the Dellba-Ied govemmelll will slln'il'e the remaining three-year tenure of the Nepal; Congress. • • •

"A new leader has emerged with a new vIsion. Prime Minister Girija Prasad ,.. Koirala, reactillg after dissident ~ > leader Sher Bahadur Dellbadefeared 0 his protege, SushiJ Koirala, ill the i election for the Congress parliamen- .t __J;.::;::::::::::.. ______...!~~~_J rary parry leader. * • * la,y of Ullified Marxist-Lelliflisl, ill Shailaja Acharya, for depuTy Prime Nepalipatra. Minisreralld sellior Congress leader, • * • in Himalaya Times. "W e had not opposed the person called • • • Girija. It was the attitude. behavior and character of Girija that we opposed." "T he attempt to oust the ligitimate Prime '''1 nstead of opening. Windows. of oppor- Madhav Klllllar Nepal, leaderafrhe Minister Who enjoys majority is an unfortu­ main opposition and general sec re- nate incident in parliamentary democracy." tunity, we are busy building doors of pauerty.'· Rabi Bllllkra Silr,slllll. Presidenr of Federariall of Nepalese Chamber of Go ahead I t3 e.. CO'm­ Commerce and IlIdustry (FNCCI) in Drishti. '- f ortab\e. • • •

"11'Ike the songs of olden days. We had to work hard to record songs those days." Mira Rallo, sellior singer, explaining her preferellce for old sallgs, ill Chhalfal. • • •

"I cannot say when, but [wIll.. defimtely return one day." Saranga S/zrestha, an actress, who recelllly lefr for Unired Srares of America, ill Ghatana Ra Bichar. • • •

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27. 2001 7 OFF THE RECORD

Poudel's Krishna Prasad Bhanarai, he predications Ay in all ,------:;::------:-, was said lO have uncharacteris­ directions. When the (Im)patience tically left behind his pack of Opposilion disrupted 1-----­ The patience of former cigarettes. Deubu was 100 parliament last deputy prime minister Ram Ihrilled by the news that Girija Wedne sday, Chandra Poudeljust seemed to Prasad Koirala had finally re­ Ranabhat declared have snapped lasl week. After signed. This elalion was short­ that the house would having wailed in vain all these lived, because Bhallarai soon resume only on Fri­ years for his chance to get the gave oul orders against specu­ day because by then top job, he thought he would lating on who the nexl prime Prime Minister just go ahead and announce his minister was going to be. Dur­ Girija Prasad candidacy for the premiership. ing a meeting with colleagues Koirala would have After quilling the cabinet last later, Deuba was said 10 have resigned. BUI fonnight. Poudcl immediately expressed his disappointment. Koirala stepped launched a blitz to project him­ Who said mentor-protege rela­ down a day before se! f as a moderate who repre­ tions were free of lens ion even the speaker's dead- sented continuity and change. when it 's a done deal? line. We found oul a '-_____ But. in the days, after Prime few weeks ago on Koirala : Feeling relief Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Premier Precedent national television ------'------­ ,tepped down, Poudel's slogan thal Ranabhal had inherited the last-minule business at their For some in the opposition of a "muiliparty front" found sense of humor of his guru ministries. Minister of Envi­ camp, Koirala's resignation few lakers wilhin the fold. When Bhallarai. No he seems to have ronmenl and Population Siddha brought bad news. For CPN­ the numbers in the Nepali Con­ mastered Ihe astrology part as Raj Ojha was said to be in a UML deputy leader K.P. gress parliamentary party also well. particularly bad mood because Sharma Oli, change of leader­ started looking unfavorable, he he had 10 cancel a foreign visit ship in the government means decided 10 pull out of the race at the last minute. In financial no morc disruptions in parlia­ Cost Of Resignation for prime minister. [5 the coun­ terms, Koirala's resignation ment. "If we don't get to dis­ After Prime MinisterGirija try in for another phase of a cost Ojha more than Rs I 00,000 rupt the proceedings of the Prasad Koirala announced his patient Poudel? in lost allowances. Has politi­ house, what the use of my re­ resignation on national televi­ cal instability reached such a maining as depuly leaderoflhe sion and radio, some of his min­ point that ministers can no Troubled Ties main opposition," Oli was said isters were busy attending to longer keep theirtravel plans? When soon-to-be-premier to have remarked. But Oli seems Sher Bahadur Deuba arrived al to have missed u,e precedenl the residence of his mentor, that has been set. Now opposi­ Annual SUBSCRIPTION Rate r------" tioln parties can ob­ INDIVIDUAL. [NSTITUTlON Chm"'KOIl.'J USS !"-I1(1) USS~oo,1XI ruet parliament Nepa[ NitS Rs !40000 NitS 11.., ~~,OO MEJ [ ~~[ US ~ [WOI) us $200,00 [ndta [ C R ~ [.\0000 [CR, .\20000 Bhpl~n USS ["-IllIU US S 200.00 I wherlev." they feel ~SAAltC Hoo,li.t>n!VTulI'dn USSI'IO(~1 t'SS20000 thctimeofthe prime Countrto!. liS S 100 00 us , ISO 00 Au,tr.lh"~c" l.cJI.nd L.S S I ~l nu LS S 200.00 J~ USSI~I.IO U5S15OOO Eun:>pt l 1"-11 ()(l [2(1)00 minister is up. A~.... CUW1l"", L'SS'~OO USS:?OO.OO lSA L'SS'~I()n lSS:!OO.on SUBSCRIBEr------NOW--- (S~ nd---- a GIFT------SUbSlTiplion 10------friends (he) \\illlol'e il), Speaker :PkD!IC ' ·~d endo..cd herewith In) .,"nu~1 ""b\cripllon for ~''PI~' 1Ct.~D.'C'heqUt"N(). rO(~ilUSS Dale I IN;,u~ And Stars I Nepali Con­ :Adt.lre"" I gress seems to be a I Pin ("<-.de party full of astrolo­ I I gers. From House of I

LI ______Sigrudure hl~phoM h\ ~ Representatives Speaker Taranalh DO NOT Send CASH in MAIL Ranabhat to fanner Plea:.e send your remillance by Draft/Cheque 10 prime minister SPOTLIGHT Krishna Prasad THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE Bhallarai, Congress C.P. O. Box: 7256, Baluwalar, PH : 977·1·-123127,435594, fax: 977-1.-117845 ~~~~~~~§[~~~======Ieaders can make [-mail: [email protected], Web site: \\ww.nepalnews,com/spoUight

8 SPOTLIGHTlJULY 27. 2001 NATIONAL

rebels will be much more imponant to MAOIST VIOLENCE detennine the course the five-year-old in­ surgency takes. With nearly 1700 people killed since February 1996 when the little Cease Fire? known ultra-Ieft outfitdec1ared its 'people's war,' the insurgency has emerged as the The new premier wants to trade peace with the rebels. si ngle largest problem for the government. While successive governments and politi- But at what cost? cal panies have diverse views regarding the issue of lookin g at the insurgency. B BHAGIRATH YOGI the sides to agree to a ronnal 'cease fire,' fomler premier Koirala was known for the latest development came as a much 'strong-ann' tac tics agai nst the rebels. needed respite for the common people Insiders say Koirala ' s resignati on ven before followers of Prime Min­ including the family of policemen- who was precipitated by the apparent fai lure E ister Sher Bahadur Deuba had time wanted to see an end of violence without of the Royal Nepalese Army personnel to pen 'champagne' to celebrate the long- further delay. rescue nearly 70policemen that they had erished victory of their leader, Maoist "It is a positive development, though abducted a ft er raiding a remote police rebels raided a police stri king base at its too earl y to predict thaf the people's post at Holer! in the remote mid-western Pandusen in Bajura district on Sunday war will now come to an end," said Padma uistrict of Rolpa in earl y Jul y. Within a night (July 22). At the end or the fi rst-ever Ratna Tuladhar, a human rights leader couple of days of the army cordoning, the major assauh in the far-western region­ who brokered a fai led peace initiative rebels managed la escape taking advan­ from where Mr. Deuba hai Is, 17 pal ice­ between the governmen t and rebels last tage of bad weather and the ru gged to­ men were dead and several others injured, year. "Now the government should create pography familiar to them. It was the with cven greater casualty suspected on an environment of confidence and initiae first time that army personnel were the part of the rebels. The newsofDeuba's serious efforts to win their confidence." pitched face to face against the rebels ascension to the power was pushed into While the latest development may not pushing the Maoists' morale to all time shadow due to the continuation of atlacks have come as a surprise to many, analysts low. hy the rebels. say the future steps of the government and "It see(t1s that the anny had moved to In a swift move, the newly appointed Rolpa without studying the to­ premier issued two statements Monday pography and contours of the calling the rebels lO give up all their violent billy district," said Prof. Dhruva activi ti es 'to create an environment of con­ Kumar, a strategic analyst at the fidence before the talks.' He even call ed Center for Nepal and Asian thcm friends and notified that the govern- Studies (CNAS) of the Tribhu­ nt had ordered all the security personnel van University. "Of course, the o ,top offensive against the rebels. Maoist insurgents can't fight the Within hours. top Maoist leader, Com­ Royal Nepalese Army in a con­ rade Prachanda, issut;d a statement ap­ ventional type of battle. But. pealing hi s guerrillas to withhold all their their main strength lies in the prc-schedulcd 'military activities' against hit-and-run tactics employed by the government forces while remaining in the guerrillas all overt he world." a po~ilion of 'actIve defense.' Saying that The lates t altacks in hi s pany had taken the victory o f Mr. Tehrathum and Bajura districts Dcuba "over the fascist Girijaclique" as a are seen as a rebel tactic to ne­ • positive development, Pracnanda asked gotiate with the government hi s cadres to remain alert against the reac­ from the position of strength. tionary forces which could conspire Knowing their limitations, lhe against the rebels by using the 'Ii beral' rebels, however. have not at­ face or Mr. Deuba. He demanded that the tac

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27, 2001 9 NATIONAL maintained that the insurgency was not Nepalese Army ... We have been defeat­ only a conspiracy against the country's ing the police so far and the fate of the 12-year-old multi-party democracy and army, too, will notbediffercnt." the Maoist constitutional monarchy, it was also a leader declared at the ceremony orga­ serious challenge to the national security. nized to mark the announcement of the Analysts say the rebels have been 'pcople' s government' in Dolakha Sun­ rargeling the police posts all over the day. counlry not only to seize arms but also to As such. experts say the government physically eliminate and make defunct needs to closely watch the activities of the the 'lirst line of defense' of the govern­ Maoist leadership in future ... If Mr. ment. As the' Armed Police Force' is yet Prachanda's statement is to be trusted, the to be raised- its future still remaining government should design its policy in uncertain. and the army said to be rclue· accordance with that," said Prof. Dhruba tal1llOcngage in adomestic connictdue to Kumar. "We don ' t have any idea about unknown reasons, humiJiating the secu­ the command and control system of the rity personnel at the frontline would serve Maoists. So, we need to watch for some the strategic interests of the rebels. By lime more about their future move." claiming that the Royal Nepalese Army According lo Prof. Dhruba Kumar, failed in its 'search and rescue operation' cease fire doesn' t necessari Iy lead to peace. Prachanda : Peace as a strategy in Rolpa. the rebels have been able to Hecites the failed peace initiative in Kash­ boost the morale of their cadres and buy mir by the central government of India at For the Maoists. their priorities are some more time amidst changes in the the end of its unilateral cease fire. In case clear. While they want to stop any ol'l'en­ government at the center. of Nepal, both the government and rebels sive from the anny. they also want the Besides provocative articles written are under intense domestic and interna­ ordinance on amled police force-that is by top Maoist leaders calling upon the tional pressure to give up violence and yet to be passed from the parliament­ soldiers to stage a revolt, Maoist leaders talk pcace. But so far both the sides have dropped by the government. Thcirpolitical are now making their plans public. Kan­ remained apprehensive of each other's agenda - that of calling a conference of tipur daily (on July 24) quoted a central motives. "all sides," constituting an interim govern­ leader of the Maoist party, Comrade For the new Prime Minister, initiating ment and formulating 'people's constitu­ Kanchan, as saying tha! his party was a peace process with the rebels has been on tion' under that government are all toO trying to sow divisions within the Royal top of his agenda (See: Cover Story). The clear. In the aftermath of the June I massa­ r------, rebels, too. have said cre of the royal family. the Maoist leader­ they are willingtonC"­ ship is now talking of "instilUtion~lizing Lives Lost During The 'People's War' gotiate with the new the newly found repuhlic in the country." (Between 13 Feb 1996- 17 July 2001) government. Butana­ The government has, on the olhe Iysts say finding a hand, faltered on almost every step since Year Killed by Police Killed by Maoists common ground with the insurgency began. While it has failed 1996 59 22 an insurgent group-­ to train and well equip the police. it has 1997 16 32 that launched violent also failed to develop a good coordination 1998 334 75 'people's war' with a among different security agencies. The 1999 328 141 declared motive of much-talked about 'Integrated Security 2000 179 219 turning Nepal into a and Development Program ({SDP)' lOO 2001' 63 199 Communist republic has failed to make any visible impact so Total 979 688 may - not be that far. easy. "While talking Development works have come to (* till July 17, this year) of talks (with the almost standstill for the last few years. rebels), th" govern­ The government has allocated nearly 10 Total lives lost 1667 ment should clearly percent of the Rs 100 billion budget as understand their ide- security expenses in the current fiscal Suspected Rebels 919 ology and outline its year. For a country, where nearly 50 per­ Police 400 agenda," said Tu- cent of the 23 million population live on Others 348 ladhar. "In fact, dia- less than one US dollar a day, growing (Source: Human Rights Year Book and Documentation Center/ logue is also an art insurgency and spiraling security expenses INSEC) and an opportunity don't bode well. For Mr. Deuba, chal­ L.______-' for give and take." lenges are paramount. While the rebels

to SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27, 200t NATIONAL would want to extract maximum conces­ sion from him so as to strengthen their 'Maoist Insurgency: A Conspiracy positions for future encounters, the ruling Nepali Congress- that has been the target of the Maoists all these years-wants the against National Security' government to deal with the insurgents - By GIRlJA PRASAD KOJRALA flnnly. For the main opposition UML, the

Maoist movement has emerged as the ~--, Thecountry is passing through extremely challenging timeas greatest challenge to their supremacy the 12-year-long democracy, earned through the hard way by ~ong the leftist forces in the country. At Nepalese people, has been weakened because of di fferences the same time, there are security sensitivi­ among political parties. their adamancy in overlook in g the ties of our neighbors that are likely to be parliamentary system and process, and the lack of political hurt if the insurgency prolongs for 100 culture to sol ve issues of national interests through consensus long. Chinese defense minister visited and joint efforts. On the other hand. our parliamentary system ., pal early this year and latest reports has been tomlcnted by those extremists and proponents of ,Indian government is deploying para­ violence and terror who are atlempting to destroy our consti- military forces along the Indo-Nepal bor­ tutional framework. derin the western Nepal so as to avoid any I feel the only way out of these two attacks is to I fall out oflheMaoist insurgency into their encourage in building a widespread consensus and joint territory. Interestingly, India-that never effons among the political parties, civil society and all Nepalese. I have tried to forge a national consensus among all the political parties through my 14-point basic program \ proposed before the Parliament. The 14-point program has reflected a ll the problems and painful experiences faced by all the prime ministers, ruling parties and the oppositions durin g the last 12 years. I So, my appeal for national consensus is not to save my chair but a safety measure for the future prime ministers and the prime ministerial sys tem. It is also aimed at ensuring success and popularity of the parliamentary system against regression, violence and anarchy of th e ultra-left. If all the polit ical panies do not commit themselves honestly to the basic program of national con sensus the democrmic movement and its achievements could ~acc a severe blow.. I The mindless violence and terror being perpetrated by the MaOIsts now are not only against the present constitution and the democratic set up but also a prcplanned conspiracy against the country's national security. This terrorism. nurtured both from within and outside the country, targeted at the innocent people and security personnel I is as much condemnable as it is fatal to our nationalism and national unity_ 1 feel thm the primary agenda of the national unity should be to wipe out the terrorism by the Deuba : 'I want peace' mobilization of all the security apparatus of the country and bringi ng together all the I responsible political parties and people. tires of blaming Nepal for allowing ISI I would like to praise the role of the police despite their limited means and resources I activities from her soil- has not shown to fight against the menace of terrorism. J believe the Royal Nepalese Army mobilized its serious will to check the free move­ under the Integrated Security and Development Program would succeed in ending the ment or Nepalese Maoist rebels in its Maoists' violence and insurgency. My major political agenda is to forge a broad territory , say critics. During his visit to national unity and to mobilize people 's power aga in st terrorism. J would put all my New Delhi last year, then Prime Minister efforts on this issue no matter what role Tmight play in furure . Koirala had raised the issue of Nepalese The campaign that I started as the Prime .Minister has reached a del~ nil.e ph.as.c and I rebels getting train in g and supplies from this campaign must be pushed ahead to achieve a concrete result I st'" feci It lS my \ different Maoist groups in India and dis­ responsibility to channelize the energy wasted by the oppositions-hy disrupting the cu ssed ways to check cross-border terror­ parliamentary proceedings-toward a national consensus and 10 wipe out the terrorism ism. from the country. There are challenges before me to save my own pany, Nepali I In such a context, whether the 'con­ Congress. from aiml ess and endless confl icts. So, I have deCided to res ign From the post sensus approach' adopted-by Mr. Deuba of Prime Minister as I have given preference to the new jnitiative and role to resolve the works or not. only time will tell. But ifhe existing problems faced by the country to the co ntinuation as Prime Minister. • chooses a 'populist approach' at the cost

of national security that would be a great (Excerpts of the Speech delivered b.v Prime Minisler G. P. Koirala 011 July 19 disaster for the entire country. • QllllOllllcing his resignarion)

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27.2001 11 NATIONAL

ganllent products to the US. Germany GARMENT INDUSTRY remains a major marl·.. ct for Nepalese car­ pets. Having joined World Trade Organi­ Under Threat zation ('>'iTO). most of the western coun­ tries are now in no po~ition to provide Garment exports from Nepal come down drastically after the special privilege for a particular country, This is the reason Ncpal has to compete introduction of new policy by the United States with other countries in the world, "The government i!-. well aware about ~ A CORRESPONDENT Nepalese ganncnl entrepreneurs be­ the siluation and is trying to diversify the lieve that if the Nepalese government takes Nepalese expo rt market," said Bhanu irst it was the African bill. Now it is up its case before the American counler­ Acharya, Secretary at the Minislry of in­ F the CarTebean bill. The decision by parts, Nepal, too, could enjoy such facili­ dustry, Commerce and Supplies. ·'The the US government to give special facili­ ties. present trend is jUM a temporary onc:' ties to the garment exports from African "It is true that after 2005, we will not According to GAN. exports to t and Carrcbean countries are bound to have enjoy quota system. But if the govern­ USA declined by 30 percent in the first six a negative impact on Nepalese garment ment takes up our case we can gain finan­ months of the year 2001 compared to the sector. cial strength in the meantime and be able same period last year. Garment is onc of the major sources lO survive the WTO regime," said Udaya In the first six months of the year 2000, Nepal exported 90.97 miUion US dollars worth garment apparels to the United States. This year. Nepal could ex­ pon gannents wonh US dollar 70.97 mil­ lion only during the same period. "If the government does not make sincere efforts, the garment export to the USA wi ll come down by morc than 15 percent in the year 200 I:' said Kiran Prakash Sakha. President of the GAN. "We hope the government will take nec­ essary steps to protecl this industry." As Nepal cannot influence the US government's policy 10 give similar cU jl toms exemption like the one enjoyed ~ the Caribbean and African countries like Nepal. what Nepalese entrepreneurs ha\c LOdo now is to produce quality products to compete with the products from other countries. Garment products: Uncertain future "The bookings of Nepalese ready made garments has decreased dras­ of foreig n exchange earnings. Gannents Raj Pandey. general secretary at the Gar­ ticall y in Ihe lasl few mon th s. If the situ­ wonh more than Rs 13 billion are ex­ ment Association of Nepal (GAN). ation continues. Nepa lese gannenl indus­ poned each year from Nepal. The lion· s Garment is one of Nepal's largest try will have no other options than lOclose share of the Nepalese gannents goes to the exportable items and decline of its export down," said Chandi Raj Dhakal, former USA. may have far-reaching impact upon the President of GAN. With African and CarTebean coun­ total expons. The export of carpelS. an­ The garment entrepreneurs have tries enjoying special facilities, Nepalese other major exponable item, has also de­ pinned their hope on the visit of the US garments will lose its competitive edge in clined over the years because of recession Assistant Secretary of State MsChristina the US markets, say emrepreneurs. Till in the European market, particularly in Rocca this week. They hope that the now the sector is surviving on quota. But Germany. senior US official will be apprised of after 2005 when the quota system will be The Un ited St~tes of America is the their concerns sympathetically and take revoked as per the WTO provisions. the largest market for Nepalese garments as initiative to extend facilities for Nepalese sector IS goin g to die. Nepal expons more th an 90 percent of its product. •

12 SPOTLlGHTIJUl Y 27. 2001 NATIONAL

si ngled out the "Koirala camp" for their G.P' KOIRALA lTe. Having failed to see the "grand de­ s ign" before it was too late, Koirala A New Role bungled his fourth inning. OneofKoirala's weaknesses this time was that he turned a The former prime minister remains a central figure in virlual blind eye 10 Ihe forces of destabi­ , lization. In the end, he was reduced to Nepalese politics another power-hungry polilician in the public eye. By KESHAB POUDEL and an array of lobbies and constituencies Although Koirala did not leave any to please. legacy worth remembering during his Koirala survived for 15 month in the fourth stint as prime minister. he defi­ ike in the past. former prime minis- midst of endless confrontation and con­ nitely changed hi s behavior with col­ 1: ler Girija Prasad Koirala returned troversy. He passed through difficult times leagues and rivals.lt'sjust that his person­ hi s refuge at the house of nephew Dr. especially after the royal massacre. ality transformation failed to impress LShashanka Koirala. the younger son of Although Koirala tried to cast him­ enough people to have political meaning. laiC B.P. Koirala. The septuagenarian self in an entirely different image in par­ Despite the rigid approach maintained Koirala seemed to be heaving a sigh of liament and within the party during his by the main opposili on CPN-UML and relief after exiling the tense confines of fourth tenure. many people simply re­ otherrightisl parties towards him, Koirala the prime ministerial residence in Balu­ fused to believe that conciliation and visited many of his rivals at their homes. watar on Sunday morning. Koiralacould ever go together.ln the end, And these were Ihe same people who From e ndless agitalion and outright the'country witnessed a replay of the pe­ called a Ihree-day Nepal Bandh and confrontation with the opposition partics rennial drama to ousi the prime minister. blocked the proceedings of parliamenl for 10 the chaos after the June. I royal massa­ In parliamenl. forces from the left 10 the 64 days. cre. Koirala weathered storms of all inten­ right were united against Koirala. From Koiralasucceeded in showing greater sities before tendering his resignation to Iheir jungle hideouls. Ihe Maoist rebels magnanimity toward his opponents. He King Gyanendra last Thursday. Had (ried to act in accordance with the his party and Ihc opposition supporled spirit of national reconciliation and him, Koirala might have been able to may even have wanted to project him­ produce bener results during his 15- self in Ihe statesmanlike mould of month tenure. brother B.P. However, he was check­ In his first tenn as prime minister mated from the early days in power. 1991 , Koirala was largely inexperi­ Whalever posilion he holds - and he ccd in governance. Heading an is slill president or the ruling party­ elected government was very different Koirala will remain a strong force in from organizi ng a party at the forefront Nepalese politics. of the struggle to restore multjparty ·'1 have had a very positive expe­ democracy. rience while working with Girijababu, In a way, Koirala was allowed to as is cooperative as well as compro­ make mistakes without serious oppo­ mising, and full of wit;' said a senior siti on from hi s own party and outside. official or a constitutional body. But However, this time, when he tried to Koirala rarely gets such wann words pUllhe experience accumulated during from coll eagues in the party and other three stints in Singha Durbar, Koirala politicians. could not get 100 many moments of Koirala survi ved for more than relief. three years in hi s first tenure as prime Usmg everything between consti­ minister when he was inexperienced tutional and extra-constitutioTU!! meth­ and was influenced by shady charac­ ods. the opposition and rivals within ters. This time round. when he tried to his own party made life difficult al­ be more accommodative and friendly. most every step of the way. The esca­ he was dismissed as just another lation of the violent Maoist insurgency power-hungry leader. Whether one added to the problems of a prime min-. "-.-.-.---- like itornot, Koirala remains acentral istcrconfrontcd with meagerresources KOlraJa : Tough poiltlclan figure in Nepalese polilics. •

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27. 2001 13 NATIONAL

ROYAL NEPALESE ARMY repelling the anny and scaring away the Chaubise kingdoms for good, writes his­ lOrian Baburam Acharya. Force For Unity The Malla k.ings of Kathmandu val­ ley were devising a plan to counter the The army has played a major role Gorkha campaign. Kaloo Pandey be­ in building modem Nepal lieved the Gorkhalis should create a rift under astute and skilled commanders .like Kaloo Pandey between the Malla kings before launch­ ing a full-scale attack. However, the By AKSHAY young King Prithvi Narayan Shah or- SHARMA Kaloo Pandey led the Gorkha troops by dered Kaloo Pandey lO mount an attack theSinchet-Gorhku-Mahamandal-Eksish on the city of Kirtipur right away. is known The "Npal abroad for its route and emerged victorious. This laid combinedforcesoftheMallakingswiped feared Gurkha warriors and the foundation for the unification of out 1,200 Gorkha soldiers, along with Mount Everest." says Diego Mamambio, Nepal. The rag-tag Gorkha amlY that Kaloo Pandey. a lOur ist from Chile. Less known to for- was JUSt beginning to emerge before the It is recorded that the King eigners - and many Nepalis, too - are unification campaign was trained by Kathmandu, Jaya Prakash Malla, took the contributi ons of the Royal Nepalese Kal oo Pandey . Kaloo Pandey"s head. His weapons were Army to nation building. Kaloo Pandey played an important hung in the temple of Bagh Bhairab at When King Prithvi Narayan Shah role in containin g the Kathlllandu-Tibet Kirtipur where they arc said to be until embarked on his campaign to unifying trade route as part of his integration plan. this day. The Gorkha army took Ka loo petty principalities into modern Nepal, By taking Sakhu and Nagarkot, Kaloo Pandey's body and cremated it at the top army personnel were known as Pandey had the valley within sight of his Dahachowk. Kazi, Sardar. and Kapdar. The Kazi musket. The troops were able to capture Kaloo ' Pandey was a key aide to played the chief role in the army and not the territory from Panchkhal to Prithvi Narayan Shah in the integration every Kazi was given the status of com- Dudhkoshi. of Nuwakot, Belk.ot, Kaladom (the Illander-in-chief. The Chaubise kingdoms, which were Nagarkot area), Thadhi and Dudhkoshi. King Prithvi Narayan's reign saw against Prithvi Narayan Shah's unifica- He was a reputable citizen of the King- the reorganization of the army. The Kazi tion policy, attackedSiranchowk, Gorkha dom of Gorkha. Prithvi Narayan Shah was given the power of the commander- in 1755. Kaloo Pandey is credited with wanted [Q encourage closer relations be- in chief. Kazi Kaloo Pandey is said to tween the ri sing cQuniers of Pandeys ha ve been the lirst commander-i n chief and Shrecpalli Basnyets. of the Nepalese army. The son of Bhim Prithvi Narayan Shah decided to Raj Pandcy, Kaloo was born in Gorkha. give Kaloo Pandey's daughter He had three sons. Bansharaj, Ranasur Chitradevi's, hand in marriage and Damodarandadaughter. Chitrawati. Shivaram Singh (Tripali) Basnyet. Kaloo Pandey was a well -known Basnyet was killed in the unificati on tactician and had a clear understandingof drive at a place called Shanghachowk, the complexities of warfare. He was northofDolalghat in Sindhupalchowk. known to have contained the attack of the So Kaloo Pandey's daughter was Chaubise kingdoms that stood in the way married tohisson Kehar Singh Basnyet. of Ihe unification campaign. It was from here that the famous prov- In 1642. Kaloo Pandey set up a erb "the shield or a Pandcy and the crucial meeting between King Prithvi sword of a Basnyet" became popular. Narayan and Lamjung's King Bansharaj. the eldest son of Kaloo Ripumardan Shah. which proved pi v- Pandey. was born in 1738 in Gorkha. Olal to the unification campaign. "This After the death of hi s rather at Kirtipur. was possible because the king King Prithvi Narayan named him com- Lamjung' s son, Bir Mardan Shah, and manderin chief. He had two sons. Kanak Kaloo Pandey's son 8ansharaj were SinghandRanaBamPandey.Bansharaj childhood friends." writ<;s Bhim Baha- fought valiant battles in Makwanpur, dur Pandey. This meeting assured Timal and Sindhuli ( 1762), Kirtipur Lamjung's support for Prithvi Narayan ( 1764), Chihandada ( 1766), Pauwa Shah's unilication drive. .. Gadhi (1767), Tanahu (1770) and Duri ng the th ird attack on Nu wakot, _R_o_y_. _I _N_e_p_al_e_se_ A_ r_m_y_,_G_ lo_r_lO_u_s_h_tS_to_r_y___ Lam jung ( 1783). •

14 SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27, 2001 NATIONAL

sa id it would end discrimination against EQUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS women for good, others believe it could trigger mare domestic violence. "Earlier there used to be fights among brothers Help Or Hindrance? only, now it will be among brothers and sisters alike," said Anup Bhattarai, a youth Will the bill proposing to grant daughters equal rights to from Pulchowk. Bhatlarai points to the practical diffi­ parental property solve the problem of discrimination? cu lty in transferring immovable property like houses and land as daughters are By SANJAYA DHAKAL the share of parental property to daughters traditionall y wed off to their husband's after marriage may invite difficulties dur­ housc. According (0 the bill" s provisions, t was the darling of women rights ing the actual distribution. the daughter's share of property will be I ac ti vists in the counlry. The bill pro~ Singh does not agree. "Maybe in the mixed with her husband's share and both ~ sing the I I th amendmcm to (he Civil short teml there could be some difficul­ will enjoy them equally. de was termed as one that could go a ties, but this would end discrjrnination The bill, if passed by parliament, is long way in ending discrimination against against women in the long run," he said. going to have rar-reaching effects on women. He believes that economic independence Nepalese society - and all of them may On July 17, the House of Represent a­ leads to equal status for women. Singh, not be positive. lives Law and Jus· While the proponents of the bill have lice Committee gave tenned it a success. opponents arc CO Il­ the green sig naJ to cerned about the consequences. reiterat­ the bill. The bill was ing that the focus ought to have been on in the dock for the granting equal opportunities to women last four years be­ rather than on property. • cause of differences over the praclicabi l­ ily of granting equa l rights to daughters. Women Skill But on Tuesday last week, the committee approved the most Development contentious provi­ With the objective to support the un­ ;amof the bill - that derprivileged women Ihn}ugh impartment ~n cerned with giv- Nepalese women: Time to celebrate of skill-oriented training. Bhotu-Indira ing property rights lO ------­ Social Organization has been active for daughters even after marriage. however, concedes that the activists are the last many years. The organization has Prem Bahadur Singh. a member of yet do enough research to predict how different branches thal concentrate on dif- the committee. said Tuesday's approval such of law would affect society in gcn- ferent aspect of upliftmenl of women. marks the end to the bitterest controversy eral. "This is not limited to dividing prop- )The chief ohjcClivc of the organization is in the bill. erty like houses or land. It gives women a to support underpnvileged women and Earlier Nepalese women could not legal option la fight their case if they are improve their economic and social staLus,i stake claim to their parental property once neglected," Singh says. said IndiraSapkota, President of the orga- they married. To get equal share of their In the last couple of years, there have nizalion. Among the economic activities parents' property they had to remain un­ been many anempts to pass bill that rcc- that the organiz.atlon gives training to married until 35 years of age. "This is a ognized daughters as equal heirs to paren- needy women im::ludc making of incense very positive step. We have been advocat­ tal property. The House committee had sticks. embroidery and knitting of sweat- ing for this bill for long," said Navin travelled to some parts of the country ers. Sapkola also heads Nepal Grihini Singh, a program officer at Sancharika early this year to gauge public opin ion on Udyog where more than 200 women are Samuha. the bill's provisions. involved in the knitting ofwoolcn swea{- However, many question the practi­ The grantin g of parental property ers. These sweaters are exported to the cability of the bill. Once it is passed by the rights to daughters has been one of the USA. "Due to the lack of regular market. House and takes 'he effect of law, it may most debated bills in the country, with I find it difficult to give a constant em- ca use di sturbanccs in soc iety, they say. strong lobbies on both sides. ployment to these women. But I am trying According to them, the practice of giving While those favoring the bill have ,-,h",a"-rd"-,,-"-,,s,,ai,,,d,-,S,,,a=k~o,,,ta,,", _ _ ~ ___--'

SPOTLlGHT/JUL Y 27. 2001 15 COVER STORY SHER BAHADUR DEUBA Challenges ForThe Second Innings Having garnered the overwhelming support of the Congress parliamen­ tary party, Sher Bahadur Deuba has been appointed prime minister for the second time in 12 years of multi-party democracy. No prime minister has completed a full five-year tenure and the country has seen 10 governments under six political leaders. Mter winning the pailiamentary party electio . Deuba declared that he would complete the remaining three-year term the Nepali Congress and would hold the next general eJections. But few are willing to bet on what lies in store for the Deuba government, especially at a time when the opposition has set the precedent of removing the prime minister. In these uncertain circumstances, Prime Minister Deuba will have to rely more on the wishes of the minority in parliament . , than on his own party. I > By KESHAB POUDEL year tenure of his party on July 22 The uneasiness of Koirala and following the announcement of parlia· Bhallarai was understandable. Both en newly elected leader mentary party election result, outgoing were forced to resign as prime minister of the Nepali Congress prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala before the completion of their tenure. parliamentary party and and his predecessor Krishna Prasad Although the circumstances might have Wprime minister-in-wailing Bhallarai gave each other a quizzical been different. both were pushed out of Sher Bahadur Deuba declared that he look while raising their hands in soli­ office amid growing political pressure. would complete the remaining three· darity with Deuba. The two senior Congress leaders

16 SPOTLlGHT/JUL Y 27. 2001 COVER STORY

Congress dissidents in the house. Deuba did not speak a word in defence of his predecessor when Koirala came under constant attack from the opposition. In­ stead, he lent silent support to the oppo­ sition campaign to oust Koirala. The rival Congress camp led by Sushil Koirala may be anxious to return the compliment. "The change of leadership is just a change of characters in a drama. Now Sushilda will take the place of Sher Bahadurji and Sherbahadurji is in the position of Girija Prasad Koirala," said a Congress leader on condition of ano­ nymity. "As Sherbahadurji taught Con­ gress dissidents how to behave like members of the opposition. he will have a very tough time in disciplining his own supporters." Deuba with Koirala : Victorious Deuba's challanges The situation before Deuba indi­ and Deuba's rival in the parliamentary iRgan untainted record," said Oli. deputy cates that the road ahead is bumpy. pany election, Sushi I Koirala,expressed leader of the main opposition CPN­ Despite Deuba'scaJl fora peaceful reso­ whole-heaned support for the new prime UML. "Our struggle against the Nepali lution of the Maoist insurgency, the mini ster. But words of good will would Congress government will continue. We rebels killed at least 15 policemen in the not be enough for the Deuba will create hurdles in parliament if the far-western di strict of Bajura, adjoining government's survival. government is packed with corrupt in­ his home district, the day after King "l am behind Sher Bahadurji and dividuals." Gyanendra appointed him prime minis­ rh" Nepali Congress pany will fully It seems that Deuba's majorily in ter. This incident may indicate the kind support its own government," said out­ his parliamentary party may not have of relationship Maoists are planning (0 gOing Prime Minister Koirala. Added much meaning if he is unable to abide develop with the new prime minister. " "Deubaji is a capable sec­ by the tenns and condilions put forward Personally, Deuba is regarded as ,d -Iserler;ati,)n leader and there is no by the opposition parties, comprising one of the efficient and capable second­ question of the party not supporting five leftist and two rightist groups, in generation leaders of the Nepali Con­ him ," parliament. gress. Deuba's 72-40 victory margin Condition of opposition The CPN-UML and fourothercom­ against Sushil Koirala showed his popu­ As important leaders of the ruling munist parties have already set condi­ larity in the party. The Ilip side of that party publicly threw their weight be­ tions for supporting the Nepali Con­ result is that general secretary Koirala, hind Deuba, opposition leaders in par­ gress government led by Deuba. too, has proved that he is not a weakling liament, Madhav Kumar Nepal and K.P. "Deubaji must show that hi s govern­ in the party. Shanna Oli, who were at the forefront ment is different than Koirala's. It must Koirala's stepping down as prime of the campaign to force Koirala to step be clean and efficient," said Lilamani minister may imply that things would down. offered conditional support to Pokharel, a radical communist leader in be easier for a Deuba-Ied Nepali Con­ the new prime minister. This means that parliament. "We will lay siege to parlia­ gress government. communist and other opposition parties ment in the way we did during the ten­ Two bad precedents in parliament may choose to resume ure of Koirala if Deubaji fails to abide Theconstilulion was damaged twice their disruption of legislative proceed­ by our agenda." in its twelve years long experiment. First ings if anybody not acceptab le to them Despite Ihe support extended by his it was in 1995 by the Supnne Court and found a place in the cabinet. rivals in the party, it will not be easy for now it was by minority opposition CPN­ "Our party will decide the course it Deuba to muster support from theoppo­ UML. The resignation of Koirala under needs to take in the case of the Deuba sition. Deuba himself set a precedent of pressure from opposition parties has set governmen t. We can support Deuba on not cooperaJing with the majority group a bad precedent for an office that has condition that he chooses mini sters hav- in the parliamentary party when he led . seen a gradual weakening of authority.

SPOTLlGHTIJULY 27. 2001 17 COVER STORY

The Supreme Coun's verdict of 1995, which set limits on the prime minister's 'I Have A New Mandate And The right dissolve the lower house ofparlia­ ment, in effect turned the House of Blessings Of Senior Leaders' Representatives in to full-tenn legisla­ - SHER BAHADUR DEUBA ture. By succumbing to the pressure tac­ Newly appoillled Prime Millister SHER BAHADUR tics of the opposition. which obstructed the enlire winter session of parliament DEUBA has laid dowlI broad colllOllrs of his agellda. A secolld·gel1erationleader a/the Nepali Congress, Deuba and appeared set for a repeat perfor­ is leading the cOllllfryas primemin/steljor the second time. manceduring Ihis session beroreKoirala After his victory ill Congress parliamentary party electioll, decided to step down. the majorily has lie spoke to jOllmalisls. Excelpts: lost its exclusive right to get the leader of its choice. The momentum towards How do you view your election as leader of the the subversion of this core principle Nepali Congress parliamentary party? parliamentary democracy has gather I am very happy that I could receive the blessingsofthe pace with Koirala's departure. two ,eniorparty leaders, Girija Parasad Koiralaand Krishnh At a time when the communisl op­ Prasad Bhattarai. as well those of member> of parliament posilion parties and IWO righlist panies to win the elections. I was elected to the post following the have formed an alliance in a perceived resignation of our respected leader. Girija Prasad Koirala. Despite his majority in the effort 10 distort the norms of parliamen­ pari iamentary party, Koirala decided to resIgn to pave the way for a smooth political tary democracy. the country may need a transition. This is one of his greatest contributions. miracle to preserve the existing system. Do you believe that all party leaders will support you? "In a situation where the communist They have already declared that they will support me. Girijababu and Bhattaraiji will opposilion is busy creating anarchy in support me. My respected brotherandcompetitorSushil Koirala will also support me. We Ihe country. the very survival of parlia­ will need to work together to strengthen the party. mentary democracy has come into ques­ Do you think Sushil Koirala will support you? tion," says a political analyst. Both of us are the members of the Nepali Congress party and we share a common Patience, tolerance and respect for Ideology. There is no question to suspect that Sushilda will not support me. the rule of law seem to have lost their I What will be your first priority? relevance to practitioners of parliamen­ A, you know, the Maoist insurgency is one t~le major problems of the country. M.y tary democracy in Nepal. By keeping lirst priority will be to work out a common strategy to end the insurgency. open the option to use the streels How will you work out a strategy? To solve the Maoist problem, I will develop a common approach among the parties in parliament and outside. At a time when all major panics have agreed to the 14-point agenda presented by Girijababu, I will try to evolve a consensus among political parties to deal with the Maoist problem. I will initiate a dialogue with the major political parties for this purpose. How confident are you of solving the Maoist problem? I am hopeful that the problem will be settled peacefully. First, I would like 10 discuss the issue with the main opposition party in parliament. When everyone is talking about the need to resolve the Maoist problem, I am sure I will get much-needed support from th<;m. I will ~tart an initiative only after negotiations with all the parties. And I will start very soon. As someone who led party dissidents during the tenure ofGirija Prasad Koirala, how do you plan to accommodate all your colleagues? I don't see any division in the party. You have already heard the voices [ofsupportj of our party leaders. including Sushilda. You had expressed,similar support after the election ofGirijababu, but you did not support him. How do you believe you will receive your party's full support? The situation has changed now and I have a new mandate and blessings of the leaders. I will abide by what my gurus Girijababu and Kishunji say. How difficult would it be to form the cabinet? Congress parliamentary party: Choos· It is not difficult if you see all the MPs as your friends. • ing their leader

18 SPOTLlGHTlJUL Y 27, 2001 COVER STORY

the opposition. How long of Bhaltarai and Koirala. can Deuba expect to con­ Minority Rule tinue at a time when the In a parliamentary system of gov­ form and content of the post ernment,lhe minority parties acquiesce have undergone a sea to the will ofthemajority. When Nepal's change since his last stint political system uses the reverse stan­ between 1995 and 19977 dard. Deuba may have to stan all over Heterogeneous inter­ again to find his way through the maze ests in the pany may de­ of politics. The Nepali Congress parlia­ mand accommodation and mentary party may have given its deci­ compromises. If these are sion on June 22. but the opposition not done, Deuba may not hasn 't delivered its stamp of approval be able to escape the fate Bhattarai with party workers: Election mood yet.

' use to destabilize the government, • position leaders may be leading Nepalese politics straight into the eyeof 'After The Party Election, We .tbP SlDnn. "Deuba must keep in the mind how we removed his predecessor: Ko'rala," said CPN-UML general sec­ Stand United Again' retary Nepal. As communist parties and - SUSHIL KOIRALA rightist groups like the Rastriya Praja­ tantm Pany and the Nepal Sadbhva~a Nepa/i COllgress Gelleral Secreta I)' SUSHIL KOIRALA, Pany have embarked on an anti-parlia­ who cOlllested the parliamellfary parry election against Sher mentary path, people and organizations Bahadur Deuba, stresses the Ileed to support the new govern­ that are against the current polity may mellt. Koira/a spoke to SPOTLIGHT after th e eleetioll: find wider room for maneuver. Voices for alternatives How do you assess the election of the parliamentary Voices are already being raised in party? (a, or of doing away with the existing We have successfully completed the democratic exer­ political system. These voices are com­ cise in the pany.1 accept the verdict of the election. Afterthe ing not only from the extreme right and election . wc are united again. xtreme left of the political spectrum Does this mean you willsupportSher Bahadur Deuba? t also from the core of the vocal There is no question of opposing Sherbahadurji as prime minister. He has been centrist intelligentsia. Some moderate elected in a democratic manner so it is my duty to support the NepaJi Congress politicians also have contributed to the governmenl. questioning of the viability of the cur- Do you believe Deuba's government will last its full term? rent system. However, no one is sure As theNepali Congress has a mandate to govern thecountry for another three years. about the form and shape an alternative lthink our government will serve out its term . I will support Sher 8ahadurji to complete his three-year tenure. system should take. How do you see the election result? "If a parliamentary government I am very satisfied with the result, as such a large number of MPs voted for me. In fails. there are other democratic sys­ a democracy, you have to accept the verdict of the majority. As some who has been tems that can replace it. There is an campaigning very long for internal democracy in the party, it gave me pleasure to alternative to every political system," contest the election. Professor Lok Raj Baral. a long-time Deubaji did not cooperate with Koirala's government. Don't you think that advocate of parliamentary democracy history could be repeated? during the panyless panchayat system, As I told you, I will fully cooperate with Deubaji. There is no question offollowing said at a recent seminar. the path a panicular individual may have taken. In such a situation, Deuba may find It is clear that your party is divided. What needs to be done to bring everybody his new seat full of thorns. Girija Prasad together? Koirala, a seasoned politician. declared Frankly speaking, our pany does nOl have any division. As a democratic party, 16 months ago that he would complete there may be differences of opinion. After the election result, there are no more hi s full term. But he ultimately had to differences between us. step down under sustained pressure from

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27. 2001 t9 COVER STORY

While this peculiar strand of right, lesser monals can expect chal­ him pretty soon. The first thing to watch Nepalese politics may amuse political lenges from day one. for is the fallout of the announcementof scientists, it ponends chronic instabil­ Deuba may have to contend with the new cabi nel. ity for Nepal. When an acknowledged some of the same problems Koirala faced Bringing the Maoist rebels to the asserti ve leader like Girija Prasad during hi s stormy tenure. Within the negotiating table would be anothertough Koirala could not survive in the midst Nepali Congress, Deubamay find many task for Deuba. There are allendant of the fusion of forces on the left and of his current colleagues turning against ri sks. After all, it was Girija Prasad Koirala who drew leftists into the mainstream of Nepalese politics, but he Will Continue To. Expose found himself eventually edged out by them. The people will be asking them­ he Government' selves many questions in the days ahead. - K.P. SHARMA OLl Who has the right to choose the prime minister-the ruling party or the op K.P. SHARMA OLl, depllt)' leaderofth, CPN-UML, was sHion? In a situation where logic an at the/ore/row o/the opposition campaign to oust Girija rationality have li nle meaning, anything Prasad Koirala. He spoke to SPOTUGHT 0/1 variolls can be justified as constitutional. If the issues regarding the election of {he new prime minister. CPN-UML starts choosing the leader of £rcerpts: the Nepali Congress. wouldn't the Congress be entitled to naming the per­ How do you see the election of Sher Bahadur son it would like to sce CPN-UML led Deuba as prime minbter? by? The Congress parliamentary party has elected DeubaJi. Parliament is now in the hands of Wc had Just demanded the reslgnallon of Girija Prasad the CPN-UML. If the minority is deter­ • KOIrala. I don·t want to comment on Deubaji until his full mined to embark on a destructive path, cabinet is appointed. no majority can expect to su rvive. This What do you expect from the new prime minister? is not a lesson from Marxism-Leninism We have already declared that he must include as but a page right out of the anarchism mInisters only those individuals who are not tainted. If that passes for oppositional politiCS in I...... ------.... Deubaji Includes in his eablnct Congress MPs with a Nepal. Ihlemlisl·ledrccord, we will take our next action. UlJcertain furure Do you think there are any individuals in the Congress that conform to your Is there any guarantee that ne ­ prime minister or leader of the rulil I see very rew such people in the Congress. party will complete his full temn with­ Then what step you wiU take? out pleasing the main opposition pany? We will continue to expose lhem and thcirperfonnance. Resignation ofKoirala IS 001 What type of parliamentary democracy our ultimate goal. We will oppose all Congress governments on the basis of their is Nepal exercising? What is the thruSl perf(mnancc. of this democracy' Simply put, who What kind of action would you take? rules whom? We may take any kind of action. Including disrupting parliament and !)treet protests. Juxtapose this systemic chaos Do you mean you may launch an agitation against the Deuba government? with the disarray the country is in. If he tries to correct the mistakes committed by the Ncpali Congress In the last 12 The budget and important bills have to years. we Will supponhim. Wedon'thave any bias against Dcubaji. Ifheperfomns his duty be passed and ordinances have to be honestly , we won't he~itate to suppon him. How do you justify your act of disrupting parliament? regularized. But the opposition is still We blocked parliament only after GinJa Prasad Kairala refused to abide by parlia­ on the offensive. [t may be time to ask mentary procedures. Had he resigned after U,e lener sent by the Commission far that big que'tion: can the prime Investigation of Abuse of Authority in the Lauda Air deal. the nation might have been save ministerial system function at all in a lot of trouble. Nepal'! At the same time. Nepalis must Do you think disrupting parliament and launching street agitation is part of realise that they cannot waste va luable democracy? time in experimenting with political sys­ In democracy. VvC can use every option, including the street and parliament. If the tems. government refuses to follow the rules. why should we follow them? The CPN-UML is comp~ t ing with nine small communist parties to hold

10 SPOTLlGHT/JUL Y 27. 2001 COVER STORY the faithful. If the largest communist party continues positioning itself as a competitor with groups on the radical left, there will be further chaos. The communist panics have to learn to tem­ Qe, their desire for appeasing radical­ ism with their responsibility as partici­ pants of democratic system. The political freedom in the coun­ try today cannot set such limits, so they have to engage in some self-discipline. Otherwise, the emergence of Pal POl­ like system in Nepal may become a vivid prospect. Radical in politics From the hinterland to urban areas, the raw ideology of radical communists is forcing people to undergo needless suffering. If the statements of CPN-UML leaders Nepal and Oli and other left Congress leaders: Passing the torch leaders arc any indication, parliament may once again lUrn into a venue for to new depths. To break away would mean eviclion nasty scenes in case the Nepali Con­ The radical populism from the left from power. gress acts against the wishes of the and the dubious role of th e extreme This was sufficiently indicated by opposition. right will worsened the situation. results of internal elections overthe last There is a dearth of logic in many As we have seen in the last 12 six months. Roughly the same number statements CPN-UML leaders are mak­ years, the Nepali Congress remains of MPs that opposed Deuba during the ing. Their words are breeding a sense of united because of certain common in­ last parliamentary party vote have now cynicism. Positive politics need not be terests. turned OUt to support him. Pennanent an oxymoron. But if it doesn't establish Party leaders seem to have reached group loyalty has never been a defining a finn foothold, morality. quality of a consensus on not to break the organi­ . feature of politics. and law-and-order will plunge zation on the basis of leadership crisis. It's just that the drift in Nepal has been more pronounced. But shifting al­ liances based on the mutuality of inter­ ests risks eroding theconstiLUtional pro­ cess. Interestingly. the last time Deuba was prime minister. the basic norms of parliamentary democracy were rendered irrelevant. Dcuba was accused of show­ ing a readiness to compromise on ev­ erything to continue in office. But those were the days of a hung parliament. Many expect Deuba to perfonn differ­ ently. as the head of majority govern­ ment. In the words or fanner prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhaltarai, Deuba is one of the most capable lead­ ers in the Nepali Congress. To prove Bhaltarai right, Deuba must demonstrate that he has the ability to break out of the PM Deuba : All smiles business-as-usual mould. •

SPOTLlGHTIJULY 27, 2001 21 ECONOMY

Lanka and other South Asian countries TOURISM have also problems of insurgency. But no onc talk s about them . I don 't under­ stand what prompts our media to go be­ Under Media Attack hind negative stories about the country," says Prasiddha Bahadur Pandey, general Amid negative publicity in the national and international manager of Shangri la Hotel. "If tourism suffer, it will affect the entire Nepalese media, Nepal's tourism slips deeper into the quagmire economy." This kind of sentiment is hardly By A CORRESPONDENT Interestingly, the tourism sector also found in newscQveragc.lntemet websites made some fast recovery until the first covering Nepal are full of stories about Tr onc reads news about Nepal in the four months of this year. After the royal the Maoist insurgency, giving the im­ ~ a( i o n a l and international media these palace massacre and the growing activi­ pression that the country is in the grip of days, it would take a great spirit of ties of Maoist rebels, June and July saw a civil war. Some foreign reporters 11 - adventurism to make travel plans to the a drastic fall in LOurist arrivals. converged in Kathmandu following country. The incessant projection of Tourist innows in the first four June 1 royal tragedy soon began sending Nepal as a hotbed of anarchy and mis­ months of this year were very positive. out stories about how Nepal was barely management has taken its toll on the But the average increase in Indian and days away from Maoist rule. tourism industry. third-country tourist arrivals took a "The national media needs to be Reporters and editors may not be plunge in the following two months. more responsible and factual before pub­ unjustified in their coverage. The series "Even if the situation stabilizes, it may li shing news on tourism-related issues," of events in the country over the last few take years to recreate a positive image says P.T. Sherpa Kerung, executive di­ years - the hijacking of an Indian Air­ about Nepal in the international market," rector of Kathmandu Environment Edu­ lines plane; bird-hits at Tribhuvan Inter­ says Pradeep Raj Pandey, chief execu­ ca tion Project. "Coverage of the Maoist national Airport; violence triggered by tive of Nepal Tourism Board. insurgency has created panic in the inter­ comments attributed to Indi an movie star Does the news media exaggerate national touri sm market. " Hrithik Roshan which he said he never what is actually happening in Nepal? [s After the hijacking of Indian Air­ made and nobody recalls hearing ; hotel the country any wo rse than otherdestina­ lines Flight [e 8 14 from Nepal in De­ strikes; growing Maoist attacks; and the tions in the region that still draw hordes cember 1999, the Indian media launched June I massacre in the royal palace - of lOuristS? Tourism entrepreneurs still a virtual crusade to portray a peaceful make for a destination that only the brave see Nepal as a peaceful destination. Hindu kingdom as a den of foreign-led can dare to venture into. "There is a wa r-l ike situation in Sri anarchists. The five-month suspension of dian Airlines nights to Nepal drastical reduced the number of Indian tourists in the first six months of20oo. Indian tour­ ists , who had started trickling in, were scared away again a year later following what is known locally as the "Hrilhik Roshan episode". "Tourism is a very vulnerable sec­ tor. We have to be very cautious, as it can be easily disturbed," says Birendra Ba­ hadur Basnet, managing directorofSud­ dha Air. "Nepal needs to make se ri ous erforts to change the image of the coun­ try. " The co ntribution of the tourism in ­ du stry to the national economy is pivotal and even a short-term damage wi ll badly affect the country. TIle tourism industry must devise a way of overcoming this Aeroplanes at TIA : Yearning for more passengers negative publicity before the sector si ips beyond recovery. •

22 SPOTLlGHTIJUL Y 27. 2001 NATIONAL

pointed to head the anti-graft watchdog CIAA CHIEF last year, Upadhyaya has filed cases against several RNAC orricials on grounds that the airlines lost more than Moral Dilemma Rs 14 million becauseortheir negligence. Three senior oflicials are behind bars A high-level panel links the head of the anti-corruption because they were unable lO raise the massive deposits the CIAA demanded. watchdog to irregularities in an irrigation project "Ir the same criteria is appli ed to CIAA chier Upadhyaya, he would have to race By A CORRESPONDENT mission or Inquiry Act two months ago. a rate simi lar to that or the RNAC ofli­ The PAC also issued a directive o n cials." said an ad vQcate. the dispute pending berore the Interna­ How will the CIAA investigate its ft er the Commission ror In vestiga­ tional Court or Arbitration (ICA) and own chierindependently and impartially? A tion or Abuse or Authority (CIAA) urged the government to take an appro­ Although heads of constitutional bodies . rSurya Nath Upadhyaya was linked I priate decision keeping in view the na­ can be removed only through impeach­ to irregularities in his earlier tcnure as tional interest. As mandated by the gov­ ment by parliament, they do not have chairman or an irrigation project, does he ernment, the commission sU lll lll oned se- immunity from probes in Locorruplion and nior orficials, inclulling Up­ irregularities. ~-....--- ...... , adhyaya, to probe into irregulari­ Although the report was presented ties committed in the course of two weeks ago. no one has made an effort implementation of construction lO raise the question of morality of Chief work orMahakali irrigation Project Commissioner Upadhyaya. The main op­ by an international contractor,lead­ position CPN-UML and other opposition ing to the claim or about Rs. 150 panies. which claimed to be on an anti­ million by the contractor. corruption crusade wh ile pressing for the The committee also sought to resignation of Girija Prasad Koirala as establish tbe circumstances that prime minister for months. remain silent gave rise to such an unreasonable over the report. It is now up to the PAC and illegal claim. It stressed that the and the new governmenllo Lake necessary official responsible by way or neg­ steps on the 42-page report. • li gence, mala fide ae- r.::-:;7:-;--:-=-=:-:--::-:;-::-::~:-=-:-:=-:=-=::-~-~ Upadhyaya : In controversy tions or irresponsible MANAKAMANA CABLE CAR and irregularaclivities the moral authority to continue in whatsoever, should be thor­ orrice? In a country where orficials and oughly investigated and held politicians set their own standards of responsible ror the loss. morality, what measure would Up­ According to sources adhyaya adopt? close lO the panel, members When a high-level inquiry commis­ saw negligence on the part Since the 17 th Cennuy. sion, rormed in accordance with the di­ of Upadhyaya in executing Manakaxnana tem.ple has been widely venerated. rec tives of the Public Accounts Commit­ the decision and delibcr- becaue oCthe belief that tee (PAC) of the House or Representa­ ately delaying the signing l~faWlLla~~~ Dcvi Fulfills tives, pointed out negligence on the part of the agreement ro all'Wiahes, Today. instead of the or Upadhyaya as chairman or the months. Because or negli- 4 to 5 hour arduous trek. Mahahali Irrigation Development Board gence on the part of offi- MBnsks'Dsna is noW' and secretary to the Ministry of Water cials, the government had accessible in just 10 Resources, wouldn't Upadhyaya's re­ to lose nearly Rsl40 mil- DJinutes by maining in office erode the credibility of li on. This report will be sub- ..1~!laDJ3Lla"'l8J1l.8 Cable Car_ the CIAA? mitted to the parliamentary In order 10 execute the-directive is­ committee and will ulti­ Insured UPIO sued by the PAC, the government rornled mately be sent to the CIAA ~C;l! a three-member commission under the for criminal investigation chairmanship of former secretary Dr. and ultimate prosecution. Bhola Chal ise in accordance wi th the Corn- Ever si nce he was ap-I:::=~=-_'_u_m_.'_~_"_"_. _.... _: ct1_~_-_...:. ~_-_=_"'_""""__ ""_ ....._ . __ J

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27, 2001 23 NATIONAL

endospenn also affect expansion. Other fac­ FOOD SECURITY tors affecting quality include Oavor, lender­ ness, absence of hulls. color. and shape." Hamama Maharjan. a farmer from Commercial Corn Sane Thimi, sees the commercial prospects oflhecrop. "Whitc dent corn often receives From traditional Dhedo to munchy popcoms, the maize a premium price from the dry-milling in­ dustry since yields are somewhat less than has become a commercially important crop those of the yellow-dent corn hybrids." he says. "While the foliage and stalks of dent By AKSHAY SHARMA fare available on the roadside. 'They use corn can be used to make a number of left-overs from funeral pyres because there products, including silage and corn syrup. is a shortage of coal," warns 21-year-old th e kernels make dent corn an economic epalis love corn. In rural areas, they Aditya Aryal of Hadigaon. "I prefer to take treasure:' Nconsume it in the form of dhedo (maize the corn home and boil it." Processed corn products are diverse, meal). In Kathmandu and other urban cen­ "It is safe to eat the roasted corns sold in including cooking oil and various corn g

ters. the choice ranges from cornflakes to the SLrcelS because the coal is immune to meals, flours, and starches. Corn stare I,; popcorn. Five hundred years after Christo­ hannful bacteria," says Dr. Sameer Ghani. can be processed rurther into a variety of pher Columbus became one of the first Eu­ "It is the disgust of eating something roasted food and non-food products including fat ropeans to set eyes on it, corn has spread from the remains of funeral pyres that puts substitutes. sweeteners. alcohol, paper. ad­ across Nepal's diverse terrain. people off." hesives. painlS. soaps, cosmetics, dynamite. .. It is the taste of the corn and the paste Popcorn has become popular in tires, and oi l-drilling materials. of salt. green chili, ginger that attract me," Kathmruldu. Devendra Gurung, ashopkeeper "Com is also used as a nutrient medium >ay, Saloni Silwal ofSwayambhu. But oth­ near the Gopi Krishna Cinema hall in in making antibiotics like tetracycline. peni­ ers are less enthusiastic about the roasted Chabahil, says:" It's one of the widely so ld cillin, neomycin. bacitracin, and streptomy­ items in my shop. Most of cin. Ribonavin (Vitamin B2)and cobalmide the customers arecoupJes (Vitamin B 12) are two major vitamins pro­ who like to munch a bag duced from the fermentation of corn Sleep of popcorn with the liquor and dextrose. Other imponant corn movie." fennentation products include citric acid, Streets vendors like glutamic acid. lactic acid, and lysine:' says Oil Bahadur Gurung in Or. Gharti. New Road are doing brisk Sani Maya MagarofRaniban, Nuwakot. business with their pop­ sits every morning on the pavement at corn carts. Naushad Ullah Kalanki tendingherbabyand scllingcorn .. , of Dilli Bazar is among earn about 150 rupees a day selling roast the regular buyers. ,,( usu­ corn. Some of the cam comes from our own ally go to New Road to land but we also buy it from other villagers. buy newspapers and get And we have to pay 50 rupees per day forthe drawn by the aroma of coal." And where does she get the coal? "I popping conl. have a contract with the bakery shops and Making popcorn to brick kilns." perfection isan an orsarts. "The land at our village does nOI yield ''The quality depends on a enough to feed us around the year. Be­ number of factors," says sides. there is a sense of IIl securlly:' she biologist Layla Piya. says. " My husband and I came to "Generally, the more a Kathmandu in search of a beller life. We popcorn variety expands have to pay 800 rupees a month in house after popping, the better rent in Kalanki . My husband works as a the quality. as a greater porter. " I wanLLo gi ve my children a beller volume produces a bener life I don't know how we are going to rt~{:'F~ texture. Most commercial support them." varieties will expand 30- Such grains of truth might goad agri­ 40 limes their volume. culture planners to find ways of harnessing Moisture content, drying the commercial prospects of corn both in procedure. and amount of tenns of roadside business and national rev­ _W_ o_m_e_n_se_I_Ii_n"g,-c_o_r_n_:_P_o-,p,-u_l_a_r _ti_ffi_In______damage to the pericarp and enue receipts. •

24 SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27. 2001 NATIONAL

Village Development Committees of MARCHABAR CONTROVERSY Rupandehi district wi ll be inundated, af­ fecting 100.000 people. Although local government officials Dam It claim they briefed the concerned age ncies about the problem in Marchabar area, the A year after triggering a row by constructing the Laxmanpur government is yet to make its stand public on the issue. afflux bond, India does a replay at Marchabar Meanwhile, a team of the youth wi ng of the main opposit ion Un ilied Marxist­ By A CORRESPONDENT Indian side seems bent on having its way. Leninist (UML). Democratic National During last year's monsaon. the construc­ Youth Federation (DNYF), completed a tion of Laxmanpur afllux bond had led to field study of the area. The delegation had ust across the Indo-Nepal border in inundation of several vi llages in Banke 45 members including members of parlia­ -l Marchabar area of Rupandehi district, district in Nepal. ment, youth activists and journalists. 13 is busy constructing Rasiyabal Khurda The lndian side, early this year, had Member of Parliament Gokarna Bista Loulan Dam. supposedly to check the havoc proposed at ~le JSC meeting the conslruc­ led the delegation. Upon his return, Bista the rivers Danav and Danda wreak on tion of dam at least eight kilometers away said he would raise a strong voice against Indian villages in the vicinity during the from the border. However, the consLruC­ the dam, which could not only affect monsoon. tion is taking place well within that limit Nepalese villages but also inundate the However, the construction of the dam According (0 international nomlS. such Lumbini area. the birthplace of Lord is going to have a serious impact on the dams cannot be conslrUcled within eight Gautam Buddha. Nepalese side. according to experts. They kilometers of national border. But the Many think that the problem cannot be claim that the dam would result in inunda- Rasiyabal Dam is being constructed just resolved al the local level. TIle Nepalese 200 meters across the governm ent ought to take up the issue with .------,------,----, border. its lndian cou nterpart at ahigher level, they According to say. However, as the government at the Ramesh Man Tu­ center seems busy in politicking, the im ­ ladhar, the chief of pOltanl issue ofinundation could once again the Rupandehi Dis­ be sidelined. • trict Irrigation office. the construction of the dam near Man..::habar area could lead to School Shutdown widcsprl!ud destruc­ tion on the Nepalese Once again, radICal leftist student~ side. Talkingtoa ver­ affiliated to the MaOlsls ordered the clo­ nacul ar daily, Tu­ sure of more Ihan 34,000 public and ladharsaid, "We tried private schools across the country on to cOnlacl them (In­ July 20. This lime the reason was lower dian officials) repeat­ allocation for the education sector III the ed ly, but in vain. In budget forthlS fi,cal year. The budget for fact, they wcnt on fiscal 200 1/2002 has allocated 13.96 per­ constructi ng the cent or total government expenditure on UML leader Nepal on Marchaber centroversy : What next? dam." education. The radical students claim the The Indian au­ amount is not enough. In the runup to the lion of several villages in Rupandehi dis­ thorities had started the construction of the sc hool slrike, the ~ludents represenling trict. It could even arrect the Lumbini area. dam five months ago under the pretext of the All Nepal National Free Students they say. building roads. The Indian side claims that Union (ANNFSU-Revolutionary), as Last year, the Joint Standing Commit­ the two rivers inundate 85 Indi an vill ages usual. was Involved in terror tactics. They tee (JSC) - a panel formed'to look after the of Maharajgunj and Siddharlhanagar dis­ damaged vehicles of a rew privale schools problems of inundation along the lndo­ tricts. and manhandled some principals on the Nepal border - had decided that the con­ The Nepalese side, on the other hand. eve of the strike. To months ago, the structi on of the dam would follow a de­ claims that if the dam is constructed, 200 student organization had shul down tailed study by the joint tearn. But the villages coverin g 21 (){) bighas of land in 18 schools for a whole week. •

SPOTL!GHT/JULY 27.2001 25 REVIEW

reform recommendations. PENAL SYSTEM The fifth part mainly enumerates the moves towards penal refonn , covering the roles of civil society, donor, INOO Blueprint For Reform and media. The sixth part concludes with an agenda for change. This part stresses A book showcases the realities of Nepalese jails and the need of change in the application of law and institutional reform in the po­ proposes reforms lice, court, prisons and specifies the role ofNOOs. By SHOBHAKAR BUDHATHOKI The third part relates to shortcom­ Nepal's penal system is generally ings of the criminal justice system, mainly administered by administrative authmi­ arising from penal institutions and their ties due to the lack of implementation of he physical and psychological con­ laws, investigation of crimes, treatment rules and regulation related to prison laws. T ditions of all the prisons of Nepal of suspects and detainees, prosecution However, the prison officer and ca . arc unfit for human beings. Most of the proceedings, adjudication process and designated prisoners such as chaukJW country's 73 prisons are old dilapidated the treatment of victims of crimes. and naike monitor it. Significant improve­ buildings. Some walls and ceilings are The fourth part is remarkable in its ment has been made in the legislative on the verge of collapse, roofs leak and elaboration of the condition of Nepal's framework since the early 1960s. Since many of the rooms are damp and lack prison and prisoners. The book has also 1990, the Nepalese government has com­ ventilation. emphasized the need to refonn prison mitted itself to penal refonn by ratifying The foul-smelling toilets make life conditions. It also addresses the manage­ all major international human rights cov­ miserable for prisoners. The prisons are ment of Nepal's prison and Nepal's prison enants related to the field. over crowded and some of inmates are legislation and treatment of special types The Constitution of the Kingdom of suffering from communicable diseases. of prisoners, including government prison Nepal, 1990 has also guaranteed funda­ Adequate facilities have not provided by mental human rights of the citizen, in­ Ihe authorities. The prisons are run under cluding the right to criminal justice. an outdated legal framework and succes­ However, there are still several weak­ sive governments have given little atten­ nesses in legal procedures on treating tion to improving management. prisoners, violating their fundamental The recently published "Nepal's Pe­ human rights. nal System: An Agenda for Change" by According to the law, suspects should the Center for Victims of Torture be brought to justice. At the same time, (CVICT) elaborates on the conditions of they have la be treated as citizens in pri the prison and penal system of Nepal, The prison authorities should respect t e undertaking an exploratory study. Pris­ fundamental human rights of the citizen. oners should be treated as human beings The penal laws should not be manipulated and th c;r fundamental human rights guar­ and the penal system should be reformed anteed by international instruments through a multilateral approach. should be respected. Despite the improvement of leg is la­ The study makes an extraordinary tiveand constitutional provisions, imple­ contribution to highlighting the condi­ mentation is lacking. The recommenda­ lions of prisons and prisoners to the gen­ tion of commissions and committees on eral reader. The study was undertaken improving the prison system has not been with the assistance ofDFID and the book implemented satisfactorily. There is a was published by the assistance of En­ Nepal's Penal System: need of a strong advocacy group to re­ abling State Program (ESP). Agenda For Change form penal laws. Prisons are not con­ The book is di vided into six parts. structed for punishment. They are built The first and second parts contain an Published by Center for Victims to reform citizens. introduction and back$round informa­ of Torture Nepal (CVICT) with Therefore, prisons should be devel­ tion about the penal system of Nepal, oped as refonn house and by reforming discussing institutional and legal frame­ the support of ESP provisions of penal laws and existing work of the penal system and human Edited by Stephen Keeling and penal system,says the book. • rights obligation under international law Rabindra Bhattarai and constitutional safeguards. (Budhathoki writes on human rights issues.)

26 SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27, 2001 THE BOTTOM LINE

By M.S.KHOKNA

My God.! Too heavy 0 burde'l1.. I Cord /]0 far ...

.~ \r. ~ .

TRANSITION hi s capacity as the Chancellor Simana" (Nepal's Border), by Puraskar Management Coun­ ofRONAST and in accordance the Madan Puraskar Trust. ciL with the RONAST Act 1992. JanakaviKeshariDhannaraj ELECfED: Dr. Ram Prasad APPOINTED: ProfessorDr. RESIGNED: Binaya Dboj Thapa, senior poet, with Pokharel, as president, Kali Krishna Manandhar, the Cband, from the post of chief Jagadarnbashree Puraskar for PrasadRijalandDr.Sharnbhu dean at the Faculty of Science whip of Nepali Congress par· the year 2057 BS, for his con· Prasad Lakhey, as vice presi­ and Technology, Tribhuvan liamentary party. tribution to Nepalese literature, dents and Madhusudan University, as the Secretary of by the Madan Puraskar Trust. DhakaJ, as general secretary, 0 the Royal Nepal Academy of AWARDED: Buddhi Nepal NetrajYOli Sangh (Oph­ Science and Technology Narayan Shrestha, with the Phanindra Raj Khetala, se· thahnic Association), by the (RONAST), by Prime Minis· Madan Purasakar for the year nior litterateur, with Bednidhi association's eighth general ter Girija Prasad Koirala, in 2057 BS. for hi s book "Nepalko Puraskar, by the Bednidhi meeting. •

SPOTLIGHTIJULY 27, 2001 27 HEALTH

"Going back to one or even a few SMOKING cigarettes doesn' t mean you've blown it. It means that you have to strengthen your detemlination to quit. and try again - Health Or Wealth? harder. Don' t forget that you got through several days, perhaps even weeks or The tobacco industry is a money-spinner for the state, but it is drawing months, without a cigarette," a quincr­ the most vulnerable segment of society in a pall of deadly fumes in-progress says. "The tobacco industry is one of the 1110st inexhaustible sources of revenue B AKSHAY SHARMA The younger generation represents for a cash-strapped economy," says the largest segment of smokers around Sherchan. "Just by banning the young­ The catchy cigarette adverti sements the world and Kathmandu is no excep­ sters from smoking or buying cigarettes .I. have been off the air for some time. tion , according to a study conducted by doesn't mean you can drive away their However. Nepalis seem to have become Jagriti. "But it's not only about health. craving for a drag." addicted to music conte sts and sporting It' s about the effects of advertisements In thisc\ash between macrocconon events that carry the name of the sponsor­ that can poison a young child's brain ." and medical care. there are those looki g ing tobacco company in big banners. "Many smokers have successfully for a middle way . .. It' s wrong to promote Just like in the West, many here feel given up cigarettes by adopting new hab­ advertisements that seem to suggest that it the case against smoking is not conclu­ its, without quitting "cold turkey," plan­ is smart to smoke," says Asish Acharya of sive. "Smoking five to six cigarenes a ning a special program. or seeking pro­ Thamel. "In almost every publication, the day is a deterrent against the pollution in fessional help, " said Or Prasant Barkoti first attractive display you usually come told SPOTLIGHT. across has to do with cigarettes." he says. Ask unsuccessful quitters and they' 11 "Cigarette companies think they can .tell you they' ve tried everything under getaway by publishing the statutory warn­ the sun to get rid of the stick. "Remember ing. But how many people do they think that successful methods are as different arc influenced by letters thar are so small as the individuals who adopt them," says that they sink in the midst of the colors Jagriti'sspokespcrson Dhiraj K.C. "What and creativity of the adverlisement?" may seem silly to others may bejust what Well, the world has been trying to figure you need to quit. So don't be embar­ that out since statutory labelling was made rassed to try something new:' mandatory in the West. •

WAYS OF QUITTING ...

Switch to a brand you find distasteful. Change to a brand that's low in tar and nicotine a couple of weeks before your target date. This will help change your Smoking behavior. However. do not A young smoker: Unaware of hazard? smoke more cigarettes. Inhale them more often or more deeply. Or place your fingertips over the holes in the filters. All of these will ,"crease your nicotine Kathmandu valley," says an environmen­ intake, and the idea is to get your body used to functioning without nicotine laiisl. Hisargument is that nicotine would Cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke. guard your lungs against the noxious city Smoke only half of each cigarette. air. .. It is good forthe national economy." says businessman Bibek Sherchan. It's Each day, postpone lighting your first cigarette by one hour. difficult to see where the banter ends in DeCIde you'll smoke only during odd or even oours of the day these comments. Decide beforehand how many cigarettes you'll smoke during the day. For each But for a whole pack of other people, additional cigarette, pledge a rupee to your favonte charity. smoking was never something to laugh Change your eating habits to help you cut down on cigarettes. For example, about. ''It's almost like a disease. The drink milk, which many people consider incompatible with smoking. End most crucial part is for a person is to kick meals or snacks with something that won't lead to a cigarette. the habit," says a smoker who is halfway through kicking the habit. Remember: Cutting down can help you quit, but it's not a substitute for quitting.

28 SPOTLlGHTIJUL Y 27, 2001

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Dynamics and Development of Highland Ecosystems Ritual, Power and Gender: Explorations in the Ek Raj Ojhall999 Rs.995.00 Ethnography of Vanuatu, Nepal and Ireland Michacl Allenl2000 Rs.960.00 Hundred and One Poems for New Millennium L.D. Rajbhandari/2000 Rs. 100.00 Selected Nepali Lyrical Poems Rovin Sharmal2001 Rs.300.00 Institute of Foreign Affairs: Poliet Study Series I fal2000 Rs.300.00 Small and Medium Enterprise Development in Nepal: Emerging Issues and Opportunities Nepal's Foreign Policy: Issues and Options Bishw. Kcshar Maskay/2001 Rs.400.00 IFAII999 Rs.300.00 Who is the Daughter of Nepal? A collection of Eassys Nepal Missing Elements in the Development Thinking Sangi.a Rayamajhi/2001 Rs.315.00 G\lnanidhi Sharmal2000 Rs.472.00 WTO Globalization and Nepal pa As You Like It & Palpa Revisited Ananda P. Shrcsthal2001 Rs. 160.00 V.K. Kasajoo/2001 Rs .250.00 WTO Regional Cooperation and Nepal Reseunga The Mountain of the Horned Sage Horst Mundll999 Rs. 160.00 Two Districts in Central Nepal Philippe RamirezJ2000 Rs. 425.00 (Source: f/ima/a)'ull Book Cemer, Bagh Ba:.ar. K(I(hl//(l/It!u. Ph : 2-12085)

Video (English)

Meit Down Kiss of Dragon Aeianlis The Lost Empire Cats and Days Fast And The Forious Baby Boy olag. Dr. Dollittle IT A.I Tom Raider

Aks Bas Itna Sa Khawaab Hai "God is neither Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai Love Ke Liya Kuch Dhi Karega distant nor distinct PagaIpan Gadar from you."

Ek Rishtaa - SATHYA SAl BABA (Source.- SI/per Star Video, New Rllad)

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27. 2001 29 LEISURE

BAILEY I>OH'T YOU EVE~ I F T~E glGHT GUY 8ELIEVE IN COME5 ALONG, WE "O~'T MARRIAGE, HAVE TO GET MARRIEP 8UX?

B.C.

BLONDIE

PEANUTS MOM! SOMEONE LEFT THE CA6E OPEN A6AIN!

30 SPOTLlGHTIJULY 27. 2001 LEISURE

CROSSWORD BRIDGE

NORTH '·IS .. K 10 6 3 .AQ.62

..• K'107 WEST EAST 4J8752 44 • K 5 3 • 109 tJ .QI07643 .AKQ3 .J542 SOUTH • A Q' • J 7 4 t A 8 5 2 .. 9 8 6

Vulnerable: Neither Dealer: East The bidding: East South West Nortb Pass Pass 1" 2 • Pass 2 NT Pass 3 NT All pa" Opening lead: Ctub king ACROSS DOWN "All men are the same. They take no I. Leading man appearing in a commercial I. So sailors could be clever. and threat· notice ofth. stag in the thicket because (5) ened to capture island (4-6) 4_ Fabulous maiden living in Popular. per· 2_ Part of corn requiring auemion (3) they're already chasing the hare." ha ps (4.5) 3_ Boat of drab appearance smuggling hard - Jean Giraudour 9_ Device held by Handel. say. to Improve drug (6) "1 played for K-x of hcans with West," view of opera? (9) 4_ Current source of power, possibly a force explained a defeated South. "Since he had bid 10_ Start as a statesman in Israel (5) in the north (9) spades and cashed four clubs, he might have 11. Old railways and competitors onginally 5_ They mark references. so priest can fol- held only two hearts." sharing amicable relations (13) low broadcast (5) "Perhaps," replied North. "But there was 14_ Is onc bound to show such responsibil- 6_ Small number glorify English aristo- something you failed to notice. You over­ ity? (4) crats overseas (8) looked an opportunity to geL an accurate count. ,. 15_ Staff function. by the way. even pro- 7_ Authoritativcdata about US fighters (11) Trying to protect his ~padc queen from vides fruit (10) 8_ Manuallaborer's part of deal (4) immediate attack. SOUlh bid two no-trump. 18 _ Captivated, then put out fi everyone has 12_ Superior_ but unsettled (11) and North raised optimistically to game. How­ co lored clothing (10) 13_ Play down position of those sub-servient ever, West led clubs. cashing all four clubs Long sentence in a biography (4) to body politic (10) after East unblocked at each turn. West then 21 Modernization of 8arry' 5 area down 16_ Distinguished soldier possibly accorn- shifted to a diamond. won by South's ace. under? (3,5.5) modating posh relative (5-4) A heart finesse to dummy's queen was 24_ Backbone shown by Asians deprived of 17_ Attend summit as leader and bu ll y (8) successful. and SOllth visualized I Oeasy tricks last quarters (5) 20_ Insists vessel should cross river (6) if West's heart king were doublelOn. So he 25 _ Arbitrary rule again becomes a real pain 22_ British lightweight formely seizing un- cashed dummy's ace and lost his game when (9) expected opening (5) West's king did not drop. 27_ Superlatively powerful aircraft. one in 23_ Only penny off for piCkle? It's a swindle What did South fai l 10 notice? When height trial (9) (4) dummy's heart queen held. East dropped the 28_ Contents of boat in from? (5) 26_ Homed creature found in dwindling num· nine. Was it a clever flashcard from I 0-9-x. or bers (3) was it from 10-9 doubleton? To succeed, South cashes dummy'S dia­ mond king and leads a spade to his queen. Gaining an accurate count of West's distribu­ tion, SOllth knows what lO do, Holding five nUQ '9l WCJS 'fl a:)Uoo 'Z:l SJcaMS 'OllcaqMOJ8 'L 11UnCIC~J!) '91 '£ I ~U!pUC1Slno I aunSJapun 'z: spades, four clubs and only one diamond, Sl e e J U 8U1 pueH -S leu't • ", -L 'SS'lqON -9 '1"'10" lI J 't M -v ,(4 0 T J"3 -1: p"poq-'lqV-1 : "'"0(1 West must have three heans. And instead of vainly trying for K-x in hearts. South takes his a:mcs 'se: lS;I!14a!J."l only chance and runs his heart jack. South's 'il c,S(CJn;)N '~l aU!l(J 'vC: saleM lIlnOS MaN 'IZ aJ!1 '6 1 palleJlllu3 'SI u~~lsoguew 'SI jack obliterates. East's 10, and dummy's heart ,(lna 'vl SS~U!P~1lIOJ8 '11 U!g~8 '01 ~llau2iJOl '6 LJdw,(u-POOM 'p peallV .( : SSOJ:>V suit runs whether or not West covers. South then wins five heart tricks and claims his NOI.Ll1'IOS ambitious game.

SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27, 2001 31 [~ FORUM Education For What? By AMBlKA JOSHEE

Education for what? This is the question that should be answered by the classes at home for money. These are major three· subjects in which LOp ranking educators of Nepal. The Government of Nepal has been students usually fail in their exams. Some teachers may not be that trying seriously la modernize its education system without much diligent at the school while they are teaching the ir students in the success. The current education system of Nepal still has been strongly classroom. This way they can attract the students at home and charge influenced by Qurancienl gur kul sikshya. Rote memorization is Iherule money for tuition. If they are charging them money for lUition they in our schools Teachers ask students to memorize materials from cenainly lake the responsibility to help the slUdents in their exam. ThJ'\ I certain pages of the textbook and leave the class. This is onc facLOr. bUI is why they help the students to copy in th~ exam. Ithere arc various other factors. which arc responsible for holding back In most of our Nepali schools. we don't have semester or terminal the education system of Nepal. The first and foremost among them is exam system, We have only half-yearly and annual exam. Students "Cheati ng in examinations" which forces me to ask the question have to memorize every thing that had been taught for six months or a "Education for whatT' year fortheirexam. Homework is very rare and thl! teachers do not h' ". Our literacy rate is below 40%. Women's literacy rate below 30%. the time to correct lhehomework. Even if they correct they do not h Illiterate parents do nOt know the real value of education. They often the time to explain the problems to the students. Paper writing is not send their children to school JUSt because Ihey have been told to do so. required in schools and colleges. The students do not know how to do Their dream is to have their children graduate from high school or research. They do nOI know how to write a project proposal and how to {'ollege and hope to see them land a prestigious government job. For write a repon even after they pass their BA or M. A. examination. them, there is no difference between educating their children for Many schools have at least some science eqUIpment. How many j knowledge or educating them simply to pass the examination. The schools use the science equipment that they have? But if you talk to the parents want their children to have the piece of paper that states that they science teacher. you will always hear them complaimng that they do not I have passed the cenam examination. Even though that piece of paper have science equipment. There are a lot or educational materials or does not guarantee any skill or knowledge, it serves as the "gate pass" teaching aids that they can make from no {'mt or low cost material~ to enter government service. available locally. Teachers either don't have lime to even think about it Parents go to school to argue with the teachers if their sons or or they have never seen a test tube during their whole school or college Itltlughters failed Iheexamination. They do not care aboullhe pe rcentage life, How do we expect them to do practical and or cxpl!rimenls in their of the student's attendance allhe school. They do not care whether they classes if they have never done one before? do thei r homework or nol. Many parents will be happy if their children Teachers go to the class and lecture. Students arc not encouraged come home from school a few hours early inordertohelpthem with their to ask questions in the classroom. They may have not understood what [house and farm work. has been taught, but they are afraid to ask questions. Our tcaching is The teachers' job is crucial. They have a set curriculum and mainly teacher-centered not student-centcred. Curious students don' t prescribed textbook that they have to leach within a school session. get chance to express lheircuriosilY. So when the exam comes. they will They are fa ulted if they don't complete the prescribed textbook within just copy from the book, the year. They have to help the slUdents pass the exam if they didn't Students have been habituated from the primary classes to pass tl complete the texl. How can teachers help Ihe students pass the exam exam by cheating. They are never taught that Ihey are at the school without teaching them the prescribed text? ga in knowledge. The focus has been mainly on passi ng the exam. It The teachers have a reasonable financial package in comparison to starts from grade one and continues till they will ~ working for their other govcmment employees. Within the last few years the government Master or Ph.D. degree. The style and percentage of cheating will be has made provision for pension for public school teachers. Their salary different as they go in upper grades bu t cheating will conti nue. People is on par with government employees. Yet they cominue to complain even hire someoneto write their thesis for their Masteror Ph.D. degree. abou t their salary and benefits. Teaching is a parHime job for most We have read the news in newspapersaymg that the examinee ha!' been teachers. They have their farms, theirshops.tutoring for money at home caught in the examination hall whi le writing the paper forsomeoneelse. and various ot her responsibilities besides leachi ng at school. Interest­ The only remedy I can sec is to educate the parents and the students. ingly. private school teachers financial package is considerably lower The concept of "Education for knowledge" should begin rrom grade I than government schools teachers. one. Parents should know that just passing the exam does not do any Besides all the above, every school has to pass cenain number of good but their chi ldren should strive for the know ledge. Confidence Mudents in their SLC examination. If not, the government may cut Ihe should be build on the students from grade onc that they will have the funding that they are receiving. Not being regular, nOlteaching well at know ledge to pass the exam if they are regular in the class. Our the school. fear of fund cut. who would not help the students to cheat in Educators shou ld think seriously about: "Whm is the target of the I their exami nation? That is why the teachers areoften at the examination education?" Students should not be taught jU~1 to pass the exam but hall and helping the students to copy from the book or from their note shou ld be trained forcenainjob. What is the valueoftheM.D. orMBBS book. Sometimes we even see the teacher's writing the answers for the passed student if s/he does not know how to talk 10 a patient. It is high '-!ucstions on the blackbOard so that every student will be able to copy time that our educators work seriously before they ~it down to revise the I and pass the exam. curriculum and it is high lime forourteachers to etlucate the studems and "If you don't understand, come to see me at home" You may haye parents about the importance and value of education as well as the heard th is statement from math, science and English teacher telling their difference between "Education to pass the exam" and "Education for weaker students. Many math, science and English teac hers take tuition knowledge", •

32 SPOTLIGHT/JULY 27, 2001

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